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OPINION Does “Acting professional” automatically equal code switching?

King Freeman said:
Point is doing those things doesn't make you more professional. It's the other way.
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what? lol

we're talking about the need to change things about yourself to go into whats deemed a "professional" setting

i just pulled one example that didnt involve race....though I agree a lot of it is rooted in race

none of these "changes" can "make you more professional"....we are who we are

some people, mostly us tho, just have to drop some shit at the door when they go into these settings that are mostly white
 
AZTG said:
I talk different at work then when I do at home with friend and fam.

I dont see this as code switching at all.

Every language in the world has a proper form and a conversational form. In professional settings, the proper form is used. Around friends, slang of that language is used.

I speak 3 languages and this happens in all 3.

Its normal imo.
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Great perspective...

I will say this...IMO as Americans...speaking “Standard American English” is not code switching to me...

its more of the tone...changing the sound and pitch of your voice from how you would normally speak.

muting certain things about yourself that is inherent to your blackness...and I know its different for every individual
 
Dwayne said:
Aight. Look at I like this.

let’s use the Kobe and Shaq.

Kobe said shaq didn’t no take this basketball shit serious and wasn’t a professional. He didn’t train like he should, goofing off all the time.

Kobe did. He was a damn professional when it came this hooping shit.


Now explain to me how Kobe is rooted in white folks behavior.



Again. Acting professional is not a whit word black thing. Y’all really need to understand that.
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Don't hurt yourself over thinking this king.
 
Dwayne said:
Aight. Look at I like this.

let’s use the Kobe and Shaq.

Kobe said shaq didn’t no take this basketball shit serious and wasn’t a professional. He didn’t train like he should, goofing off all the time.

Kobe did. He was a damn professional when it came this hooping shit.


Now explain to me how Kobe is rooted in white folks behavior.



Again. Acting professional is not a whit word black thing. Y’all really need to understand that.
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cool point....i mean nice, i get it

but I think the convo is based in normal people working in corporate environments

but yeah...the paid hitman that cleans his guns and does his homework is definitely "professional" over the drive-by killer

we hear you lol
 
Dwayne said:
Aight. Look at I like this.

let’s use the Kobe and Shaq.

Kobe said shaq didn’t no take this basketball shit serious and wasn’t a professional. He didn’t train like he should, goofing off all the time.

Kobe did. He was a damn professional when it came this hooping shit.


Now explain to me how Kobe is rooted in white folks behavior.



Again. Acting professional is not a whit word black thing. Y’all really need to understand that.
Click to expand...

Acting professional is not a black vs white thing.

However, every culture has a definition of what acting professional is. Professional behavior in Japan is not identical to professional behavior in France. In France, professionalism is rooted in what the French idea of professionalism is. In Japan, the Japanese get to decide what is and isnt professional.

And so who gets to decide in America? Its white people.

I def dont think professionalism is white supremacy. But since white americans made up the rules in american society, the american definition of professionalism is based off white culture.
 
Professionalism is not born from whiteness, but some white people are responsible for shaping what America's standard for professionalism is. I know that sounds like the same thing but it's not. Not all white people behave the same. Southern white farmers don't want to get dressed up in suits and ties to take business meetings anymore than your average black dude from the hood.

It's really more of a classism issue. The people at the top are the ones that set the standard for what is professional and what's not, and they are the ones that determine who can be let in and who can't.

That's not to say there are no racist aspects to it. The hair issue is a good example. All people have restrictions put on what they can or can't do. A lot of them aren't fair across the board. The difference is that while white people may be restricted, blacks are often told that us just being what we naturally are is a violation. White people might be told to cut their hair, but black people get told that their hair is just wrong and should be changed to be more like the "norm."
 
I work in IT. I dont have to worry about those things. You can come in casual. Im the only one that usually dresses up, lol, but I was going to happy hours pre covid. I switch up my slang depending on who im talking with. If they are a peer, they will get my slang talk. If I talk with older people, at work and outside of work, I leave the slang out of it.
 
1/2 said:
what? lol

we're talking about the need to change things about yourself to go into whats deemed a "professional" setting

i just pulled one example that didnt involve race....though I agree a lot of it is rooted in race

none of these "changes" can "make you more professional"....we are who we are

some people, mostly us tho, just have to drop some shit at the door when they go into these settings that are mostly white
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Ii dunno to me just screams to issues about other shit. Like why is smoking a blunt necessary before going into that setting. That's a YOU issue. An addiction issue. A I'm trying not to get fired issue.

You don't care about being professional or you wouldn't bother with putting yourself in that position. You're more worried about maintaining the illusion.
 
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King Freeman said:
Ii dunno to me just screams to issues about other shit. Like why is smoking a blunt necessary before going into that setting. That's a YOU issue. An addiction issue. A I'm trying not to get fired issue.

You don't care about being professional or you wouldn't bother with putting yourself in that position. You're more worried about maintaining the illusion.
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you going left in a right thread tho bruh lol

i smoke weed but that was not the point at all

and i really dont feel like running it back to point out where the road split
 
I def speak in standard or proper american english but i dont change my tone or accent

when you speak to me on the phone or conference calls you dont have to guess if im a black man from alabama
 
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AZTG said:
Again, i dont think the way you talk and the slang you dont use is code switching.

But if you at work and your political beliefs change, and principles change then you a piece of shit and a person I cant be around.
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yeah thats not code switching at all but still a topic that involves it

again, due to where I am and who I work around, I dont talk about politics at all.....and I listen to some dumb shit i disagree with all the time

is it weird or hiding myself to choose not to argue and conflict with everybody at work?
 
There's certain aspects of what people deem to be professional that is very white centric...but some shit is just plain common sense and decency and it amazes me when people still confuse the two. A person changing the tone/cadence of their voice=whiteness. Not using certain slang and shit like that is just common sense.
 
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