What is code switching? It is a means of adapting to one’s environment, with a desire to fit in and be accepted. It is also a way of acknowledging that you do already belong to a cultural, ethnic, religious, or otherwise oriented group. I learned about the concept without knowing what it was called, back in childhood. My father was raised in a working class, immigrant community in South Philadelphia. He was first generation American born of Russian Jewish parents who fled the pogrom to come here for a safer and better life. My father spoke English fluently and Yiddish passably. I watched how he would interact with other Yiddish speakers, using the words and mannerisms that they did. When they parted, he reverted to the communication pattern I was familiar with. When he was with people of a higher socio-economic status than he occupied, he spoke as they did. When he was with buddies from the old neighborhood, some who were not Jewish, he used South Philly jargon and his regional accent got more pronounced.
As a therapist, social worker, interfaith minister and speaker, I find that this art comes in handy. It is not disingenuous or cultural appropriation to code switch. It helps us to understand each other.
Lately, the concept of code switching has become more prominent with the election of Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed to the Michigan Senate. Like my father he was first generation American born, but of immigrant parents of Egyptian origin. His religion is Islam. His first language is English but he speaks Arabic as well. That’s where it gets interesting. When he claimed victory, he meticulously pronounced his name. He spoke of the idea of Inshallah (translated to God willing) and Alhamdulillah (translated to Praise be to God). Regardless of your religious orientation or practice, can you think of anything threatening about those blessings? Sadly, there are people who recoil when they hear the words with an Egyptian accent or Muslim orientation. His response was powerful.
El-Sayed depicted his election as a victory for all those “who don’t see themselves reflected in our government or who’ve been told that they don’t belong for some reason or another — not just how they pray but who they love, how they identify, the color of their skin, where they grew up.″
“I didn’t run to be the first Muslim senator. I ran to be the next senator of the state of Michigan who happens to be Muslim,” he said. ″But I also know that democracy is constantly about the conversation about who we are, who we want to be.”
Being Muslim should be no more a threat than being Christian in a country in which all people should be free to practice their religion or no religion. I find it ironic that the current occupant of the Oval Office welcomed Dr. Mehmet Oz into his fold and accepted an airplane from the Qatari royal family without batting an eyelash.
Like many, I have watched a certain video over and over, giggling with delight as Senator elect El-Sayed addresses the Veep and POTUS. He refers to J.D. Vance as ‘habibi’ which translates to ‘my love’, ‘my darling’ when used with a romantic partner. It extends to close friends and even strangers on the street. He knew it would get a rise out of Vance and his acolytes as he used the word playfully. He went on to say that Vance was constitutionally required to swear him in. The next step was to address Tr*mp’s difficulty with pronouncing his name and reminded him that once he was sworn in, he would just be called Senator. As a result of the delightful clap back, the word ‘habibi’ is trending. Quick thinking entrepreneurs have created clothing and bumper stickers in response.
In a country that was built by indigenous, immigrant and (horrifyingly) enslaved peoples, there is no room for a belief that only one religion, one culture, one country of origin should hold sway. We can all benefit from learning about each other’s heritage. I grew up with the idea that America was a melting pot. To me, that meant assimilation into an ‘American way of life.’ What the heck is that anyway? I see it now as a beautiful blending of flavors and essences. Kind of like a masala-cholent-stew-stone soup with ingredients from all over this great big old world. Let’s savor it together.
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