Respectability Politics

Most Black people show up differently depending on the world they’re in—from life at work to with friends to at home, there’s often code-switching at play. And, since Canada is so multicultural, young Black people are commonly subjected to a simple two-letter phrase: “white-washed.” On the surface, this seems trivial but deep down, to be “white-washed” means something much bigger than simply seeming white. What does this phrase really mean and how does respectability play a role in daily Black life?

Guest: Sajae Elder