16 Hidden Costs of Code-Switching for Black Professionals

For Black professionals, code-switching—changing one’s speech and behavior to fit in with white-centric “professional” standards—is essential. However, the repression of fundamental identities and life experiences has a heavy human cost. This gallery shows this practice’s hidden costs and difficulties. The Burden of Constant Adaptation For Black workers, navigating professional environments is always about adjusting your communication style and code-switching. Fatigue of mind and spirit results from this unseen emotional work. People may experience inner turmoil as they are continually compelled to choose between being true to themselves and conforming. Prevalence of Code-Switching Code-switching is common in corporate offices, legal companies, and financial institutions—industries and workplaces where Black folks are underrepresented. The majority of Black employees (61 percent) felt pressured to change who they were to fit in with the white majority at work, according to research from the Center for Talent Innovation. The Double Standard of Communication People of color often have to adjust their speech to blend in with white-dominated business contexts. This language code-switching is pervasive, suppressing genuine emotion and maintaining power disparities. Although African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and cultural slang are inherent parts of Black professionals’ communication styles, they may feel pressured to adopt a more...