That is Not Code-switching, That is Cosplaying

      Recently a White woman took to the internet to make a joke about code-switching when approached by a police officer.  Funny...right? NO. She showed that her blaccent and persona are nothing more than the cosplaying of Black women for clicks, likes, views, and clout.  Code-switching is what Black people have been FORCED to do in order to fit into a society centering on whiteness.  

     White women/people returning to their native personality traits is NOT code-switching.

     What makes the video and the sentiment even more egregious is that she stated that, "you bet I talk white when..." You talk what now? You talk who now? Interesting trope to use.  Interesting phrasing for a subset of people who (consistently) proclaim that their minstrel-based shenanigans are just who they are.  They just grew up surrounded by Black people or a part of a black family and developed a cookie-cutter accent, attitude, fashion sense, and personality that ONLY matches the stereotype of Black people and never the reality of Black people.     

     Even if surrounded by Blackness, why must one transform?

     What about just being you is subpar to you that you must participate in this daily cosplay of a people that would prefer to NOT be lessened into an exaggerated caricature? Why do you feel that you must morph into a mashup of stereotypes to befriend, date, marry, etc a member of the Black community? 

     It is bad enough that you masculinize our women and fetishize our men...why must you make comedic portrayals of us as your "way of life"?

     It is more than ok to develop a personality all your own.  It is normal to be influenced by your environment.  It is NOT ok to exaggerate your environment and turn it into a perpetual show for attention and acceptance.  There will NEVER be an instance where turning yourself into a mockery of Black people will be viewed as flattery or appreciation for the culture.  You are NOT required to "be like us" to be around us.  We merely would prefer if you would CEASE the cosplaying antics.  

     STOP wanting everything about being Black...BUT being Black.