What's CODE SWITCH? It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for. Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor. We explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. This podcast makes all of us part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story. Code Switch was named Apple Podcasts' first-ever Show of the Year in 2020. Want to level up your Code Switch game? Try Code Switch Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/codeswitch
What this show covers
civil libertiesimmigrationBlack familiescelebrity cultureHistoryextremismpoliticssurveillanceBlack womenTrump administrationHaitiHollywoodcultural appropriationzombiesVodou
What listeners will find here
The zombie’s Haitian origins—and how Hollywood turned them into horror
This episode explores the zombie’s roots in Haitian Vodou and how the figure shifted from a metaphor tied to slavery into a global horror icon. B.A. Parker talks with Black Zombie director Maya Annik Bedward about cultural theft, fear, and what gets erased in the process.
A hometown weighs a secretive hyperscale data center deal in Clarksdale
Clarksdale, Mississippi is weighing a hyperscale data center project amid rezoning, uncertainty, and years of economic decline. Capital B reporter Aallyah Wright explores how a hometown known for the blues is confronting a major development that few will even confirm is happening.
Why school desegregation still feels unfinished 70 years after Brown
School desegregation is the focus here, as Gene explores why Black parents still face painful tradeoffs about where to send their children. Through a conversation with his twin sister and historian Noliwe Rooks, the episode looks at the gap between legal victories and lived reality.
A look at why some mothers become symbols—and others become monsters
The episode examines the Lindsay Clancy case through the lens of postpartum psychosis, public sympathy, and the stories we tell about mothers who harm their children. With writer Myriam Gurba, it asks why some family annihilation cases draw outsized attention and how cultural myths shape blame.
Why Chris Brown keeps surviving backlash, again and again
Chris Brown’s latest controversy sparks a wider conversation about fandom, celebrity, and accountability. Gene is joined by Jamilah Lemieux and Noella Williams to unpack why many fans remain fiercely loyal despite a long public history of violence.
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