Code Switching by Brave New Voices - Mary Barrett and Raja Freeman Lyrics
Code switching, the act of altering the sequences of one's discourse
We use this in response to and/or as a trained reaction to the social environment presented at the time
Or talking different to different people because they don't like the other way i talk
It makes them uncomfortable
I remember the first time I let my tongue slip in the front of the white side of my family.
I grew up living several stories and belonging to none of them
Grew up learning that bouncing between speech was necessity, survival tactic
I always seemed to try to blend my voice into every room
I had too many voices to count
Claiming other truths as my own
When mine isn't good enough
When my hair isn't tamed enough
Skin too dirt
Accepting blackness is a burning beast aspiring to be white friend
Scenario, white friend says: “did you hear the news? The president said immigrants come from shit hole countries
In response I say: “shiii that crazy bitch ass, ol shit talking non presidential biggited spittin ass, ol small hand having mystonignist face ass, motherfucker say what?
I blow my cover
Yes, i've been lying to you, i've been black this whole time
This language does not disappear
Only hides
I was taught that success and respect lingered between her speech pronunciation, and whiteness
So of course i've been mimicking syllables, twisting my tongue to every tetrahedron hers was raised with
I'm uncomfortable, funny i'm able to do all this shape shifting with my dna and still feel restricted
Held back, a river being forced to reverse its course uphill, ain't that a metaphor for success
At interviews i use the higher pitched voice, fake a believable laugh
Fake being intrigued
Fake being
I speak with every i.n.g pronounced clearly
every consonance sharp as a ray
Every aint split into an is not
Every finna stretched into is going too
That it hurts becoming someone acceptable
Polished you won't even speak to me
If I don't speak in your language
So to remind myself who I am when i'm alone
I look in the mirror to make sure i don't disappear
Talk to myself aloud so i dont forget what i sound like
Motherfucker.
We use this in response to and/or as a trained reaction to the social environment presented at the time
Or talking different to different people because they don't like the other way i talk
It makes them uncomfortable
I remember the first time I let my tongue slip in the front of the white side of my family.
I grew up living several stories and belonging to none of them
Grew up learning that bouncing between speech was necessity, survival tactic
I always seemed to try to blend my voice into every room
I had too many voices to count
Claiming other truths as my own
When mine isn't good enough
When my hair isn't tamed enough
Skin too dirt
Accepting blackness is a burning beast aspiring to be white friend
Scenario, white friend says: “did you hear the news? The president said immigrants come from shit hole countries
In response I say: “shiii that crazy bitch ass, ol shit talking non presidential biggited spittin ass, ol small hand having mystonignist face ass, motherfucker say what?
I blow my cover
Yes, i've been lying to you, i've been black this whole time
This language does not disappear
Only hides
I was taught that success and respect lingered between her speech pronunciation, and whiteness
So of course i've been mimicking syllables, twisting my tongue to every tetrahedron hers was raised with
I'm uncomfortable, funny i'm able to do all this shape shifting with my dna and still feel restricted
Held back, a river being forced to reverse its course uphill, ain't that a metaphor for success
At interviews i use the higher pitched voice, fake a believable laugh
Fake being intrigued
Fake being
I speak with every i.n.g pronounced clearly
every consonance sharp as a ray
Every aint split into an is not
Every finna stretched into is going too
That it hurts becoming someone acceptable
Polished you won't even speak to me
If I don't speak in your language
So to remind myself who I am when i'm alone
I look in the mirror to make sure i don't disappear
Talk to myself aloud so i dont forget what i sound like
Motherfucker.