

The books, movies and music that shaped the Code Switch team
5 snips Jul 16, 2025
The hosts reflect on how childhood movies, books, and music shaped their understanding of race and identity. They discuss the indie film 'Medicine for Melancholy' and its cultural implications. Significant works like 'Esperanza Rising' and 'Persepolis' are highlighted for their impact on resilience and representation. Personal stories reveal the emotional ties to music, like A Tribe Called Quest's album during times of loss. The conversation invites audience participation to share their own influential pop culture experiences.
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Esperanza Rising's Early Impact
- Jess Kung first read the YA novel 'Esperanza Rising' in elementary school which shaped their understanding of race, class, and immigration.
- The story's empathetic portrayal of injustice and hard choices resonated deeply with them as a young reader.
Sister Act 2's Lessons on Identity
- Sequoia Carrillo grew up watching 'Sister Act 2' repeatedly, which showed diverse joy and ambition on screen.
- The film helped them learn to articulate race and identity, feeling empowered to take up space.
Persepolis Broke Stereotypes
- Xavier Lopez related deeply to the animated film 'Persepolis' about growing up during the Iranian revolution and navigating identity in Paris.
- The film broke stereotypes about Muslim identity and provided a personal history lesson important to their own immigrant experience.