The fight against the ‘Other’ has long been a political tactic that’s caused divisiveness against people. And as we're witnessing today, it is continuously being held up by generations of systemic injustice. In doing the work of unlearning, emphatising, reflecting and taking action, we’d like to talk about the tool: Code Switching. 

Defined as a process of shifting from one linguistic and cultural code to another, code switching is used either as an integration tool or as a means for survival by minority groups adhering to dominating societies. Many Asians - local and abroad - and those who reside in cosmopolitan Asian cities possess a natural ability to code-switch, accustomed to doing so between local / global mannerisms, and formal / dialect languages.

Code Switchers tether between the dance of duality, and are able to bring all of life’s disparate elements into a cohesive whole. [1] They play an active role in bridging within the complex system that is known as diversity. 

We have identified 4 types of Code Switchers, each actively participating in their own act of bridging:

AMPLIFIERS – those who amplify the voices of Asians in the global community.

@daikon.zine raises the marginalized voices of the Southeast and East Asian diaspora.

@dragonfruit.collective celebrates the Vietnamese community in Vietnam and abroad. 

@abritishasianstory explores the identities of British Asians.

DISRUPTORS – those who creatively disrupt the perception of Asia/Asians.

@tofu.collective explores art and culture in East Asia.

@chinabotasia reinvents the dialogue surrounding Asian music.

@gundistudios celebrates outspoken Desi women through fashion, art and a sustainable supply chain.

EDUCATORS – those who combine play and cultural education.

@saywhatwithfriends teaches Singlish and different dialects in Singapore through an interactive card game.

@drunktagalok challenges people to a drinking game that teaches Tagalog.

CURATORS – those who redefine the experience of Asian culture.

@toyoeatery reinvents Filipino food as a fine dining cuisine.

@nativebarsg develops original cocktails that connect consumers to the tastes and aromas of Asia.

@diasporadisco approaches nightlife as a social practice through cross-border music exchanges.

The future can’t be predicted, but it can be envisioned. Systems exist, but they can be re-designed. [2] By uncovering the complex systems that we live in today through Code Switchers from Asia, @dumplingcommons wants to affect positive change. What type of Code Switchers do you follow? @dumplingcommons would love to hear from you in the comments below.

[1] Quote adapted and inspired by The Gift of Rain, by Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng

[2] Quoted from Dance of Systems, by Donella Maedows, Founder of Sustainability Institute

Link to post (Jun 20). The post format was created in 3 parts.