NPR's Code Switch Translates Race, Ethnicity and Culture

quotEveryone does it no matter race or backgroundquot Cohost and Senior Producer Shereen Marisol Meraji pictured at top and below said of the practice of switching languages accents and jargon The Code Switch podcast she explained tries to provide context and commonality quotWe39re a trusted voice when people are trying to make sense of all of thisquotDiversity is at the core of Code Switch39s mission and that39s reflected in the listenership Meraji says the podcast boasts one of NPR39s most diverse audiencesWhile listeners have multiple options for daily headlines Meraji said for a deep dive into issues of race ethnicity and identity Code Switch will tackle those tough conversations In recent months as the Black Lives Matter movement reemerged and the COVID19 pandemic rages on Meraji and her team have tackled these and other stories and how they impact all AmericansquotWe want to pay attention and make sure we don39t fall into only talking about one identity or one demographic group but that we talk about everyonequot said Meraji who shares hosting duties with Gene Demby quotWe39re all in relationship togetherquotTo provide insight Meraji and her colleagues bring their own life experiences to the table At planning meetings they discuss how their communities are being impacted A firstgeneration American with Iranian and Puerto Rican roots Meraji often reflects on her own dual identity and cultural influences quotSo many of my ideas come from intersection of two very different cultures and what it is like to live that way in the USquot she saidCode Switch39s secret sauce she explained are those personal touches and context quotWe know these have been an ongoing discussion in your lives and your families foreverquot Meraji added quotWe39re able to acknowledge that and address the topics in way that is not as formal and as stuffyquotRecent episodes have addressed a widerange of topics from explaining white participation in Black Lives Matter protests to another that addressed the unique position of Black bookstore owners Other shows dug into who is a quotKarenquot and profile an allfemale Mariachi bandquotWe can have a more conversational approachquot explained Meraji who has hosted the show since 2016 quotWe39ve been talking about these things for a long time and our listeners of color have been talking about this for a long time tooquotHowever over the last six months that work has become more challenging The COVID19 pandemic forced Meraji Demby and the team from their Los Angeles and Washington DC studios and they now produce remotely from their homesamp160 A veteran radio reporter and podcaster Meraji is trained to hit the streets and talk to people but now records episodes in her closet while wearing multiple pairs of headphones The team meets daily via Zoom callsWhile working conditions demand flexibility Code Switch39s commitment to storytelling remains steadfast Meraji is particularly proud of an April episode about a treaty between the Cherokee tribe and US government that provided for Cherokee representation in Congress which never materialized While the episode was overshadowed by the breaking COVID19 pandemic Meraji said it is emblematic of what the show does bestquotOur goal is to make everyone part of our conversationquot she said adding that the team plans to increase coverage of Native American issues quotI want to continue to do that to talk about race across race and to keep our coverage multiracial diverse and multiethnicquotLooking forward to November39s elections Code Switch is planning a slate of special episodes including on black voters and the importance of young Latinx constituents Other stories will focus on the census minorities and the second amendment and US demographic changesThe medium allows Code Switch to take time and dig into nuances of these and other topics Meraji said Stories can run for twenty to forty five minutes That length is a luxury that broadcast radio network TV and cable news can39t afford quotIt is nice to have a platform where you can completely be yourself and the fact that you don39t have to put a neat bow at the end of each storyquot Meraji said of podcastingShe also values the opportunity to engage with listeners and hear their feedback To Meraji that39s the magic of podcastingamp160 quotTo have these ongoing conversations and intimacy with our audience I love thatquot she saidPhoto creditPhoto at top photographer Allison ShelleyNPRPhoto in body photographer Nolwen CifuentesNPRClick the social buttons to share this story with colleagues and friendsThe opinions expressed here are the author39s views and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet

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NPR's Code Switch Translates Race, Ethnicity and Culture

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Alli Romano

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