Here are our favorite Code Switch episodes from 2023
Dec 20, 2023
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Code Switch reflects on and recommends their favorite episodes from 2023, including discussions on names and cultural identity, Chinese-American family history, race and brownface on The Simpsons, black immigrants in Tennessee, and the power of sharing stories and understanding systems of power.
The significance of names and the negative effects of mispronunciation on self-esteem and cultural identity.
The impact of racist policies on Chinese-Americans and the importance of embracing cultural heritage.
Deep dives
The Power of Names: How Mispronunciation Can Impact Identity
In one particular Code Switch episode, the host, Laurie Lissaraga, reflects on her first episode where she interviewed her mother about the significance of names. The episode explores how mispronouncing names can have negative effects on self-esteem and cultural identity, leading to a desire to assimilate. The discussion emphasizes the importance of authenticating oneself and the long-term implications of mispronunciation in schools.
Mott Street: Exploring Chinese-American Identity through Family History
In a memorable episode with author Ava Chen, titled 'Mott Street,' the podcast delves into the complex experiences and history of a multigenerational Chinese-American family living in the United States. Through extensive research and personal anecdotes, Chen unveils how racist policies and societal pressures impact Chinese-Americans, causing adaptations and evolutions within their cultural traditions. The exploration of Chinese exclusion and the resilience of the community offers a poignant perspective on cultural identity and the importance of embracing one's heritage.
Reimagining Probation and Parole: Challenging Incarceration Systems
One thought-provoking episode of Code Switch discusses the often overlooked systems of probation and parole and their impact on people's lives. The conversation with Vinny Schiraldi, an expert on criminal justice reform, highlights the disproportionate effects of probation and parole on communities of color and low-income individuals. The episode sheds light on how the current systems perpetuate inequality and proposes a vision for a more just and fair future. It encourages listeners to reconsider the role of these systems within the broader context of mass incarceration.
It's that time of year again, fam, when we look back at the past 12 months and think, "WHOA, HOW'D THAT GO BY SO FAST?" So we're taking a beat: for this week's episode, each one of us who makes Code Switch is getting on the mic to reflect on — and recommend — an episode we loved from 2023.