Welcome to episode two of Diversity Ever After: A Baker Donelson D&I Podcast. In season one, we are focusing on the topic of Code Switching, and how it is an ever-present reality for many of us in the workplace, in school, and in so many aspects of our lives. Yet, one thing is certain when discussing Code Switching: the past informs the present. In episode two, our hosts and special guest host explore the historical roots of code switching and how the concept gained traction throughout history. In this episode, we also take a deep dive into issues surrounding Black hair and how personal grooming policies in schools and in the workplace, can have a disproportionate impact on people who choose to wear their hair in a style that is natural and authentic to them. We also discuss legislative efforts to address this issue. Join us for a walk through the history of Code Switching in episode two!
Welcome to episode two of Diversity Ever After: A Baker Donelson D&I Podcast. In season one, we are focusing on the topic of Code Switching, and how it is an ever-present reality for many of us in the workplace, in school, and in so many aspects of our lives. Yet, one thing is for certain when discussing Code Switching: the past informs the present.
In episode two, our hosts and special guest host explore the historical roots of code switching and how the concept gained traction throughout history, beginning in 1903, with the concept of Double Consciousness coined by W.E.B. DuBois, which describes the sense of hyper awareness of how we are perceived by others and the desire to adjust and adapt our speech and the way we present seamlessly to tackle those perceptions.
In this episode, our guest host, Brianna Gaddy, discusses her recently-published essay, What's Hair Got to Do with It?: How School Hair Policies Violate the United States Constitution, which takes a deep dive into issues surrounding Black hair, how personal grooming policies in school can have a disproportionate impact on students who style their hair in a way that is natural and authentic to them, and legislative efforts to address this issue. We also discuss how these concepts spill over into workplace settings and can disproportionately impact Black women in the workplace and other professional settings based on their hair texture. Join us for a walk through the history of Code Switching in episode two!
We release a new episode every other week. Look for our next episode on Friday, July 9.
Our Hosts this Week:
Reba Letsa, Associate
(https://www.bakerdonelson.com/Reba-Letsa)
Torrey Feldman, Associate
(https://www.bakerdonelson.com/torrey-m-feldman)
Nakimuli Davis-Primer, Shareholder
(https://www.bakerdonelson.com/Nakimuli-Davis-Primer)
Author and Special Guest Host:
Brianna Gaddy, Esq., Law Clerk, Circuit Court For Baltimore City
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannagaddy/)
Resource Guide:
Check out Brianna Gaddy’s essay here:
http://www.administrativelawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ALR-Accord-6.3_Gaddy-FINAL-FORMATTED-w.-Blank-Page.pdf
For more information on the CROWN Act, visit:
https://www.thecrownact.com/
For more information on the concept of Double Consciousness, visit:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/double-consciousness/
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1897/08/strivings-of-the-negro-people/305446/
Reach Us:
Learn more about Diversity & Inclusion at Baker Donelson at https://www.bakerdonelson.com/diversity
Send your feedback and topic ideas to D&ISocialCommunications@bakerdonelson.com