Flip da Switch

[DISCLAIMER]

In common parlance, the phrase “flip the switch” (also “flip a switch”) refers to completely changing something or making something happen quickly and easily, often used when saying that it’s not possible to do, such as:

·  He’d like to feel better, but it’s not as though he can just flip the switch to do so.

·  You can’t irrationally expect her to flip a switch and suddenly get better.

·  Rather than flipping the switch as a method of improving your level of functioning and quality of life, consider that improvement of mental, emotional, and behavioral health takes time.

Regarding hip hop subculture, flipping a switch has an entirely different meaning. For context, one source states:

A Glock switch (sometimes called a button or a giggle switch [and also a switchy]) is a small device that can be attached to the rear of the slide of a Glock handgun, changing the semi-automatic pistol into a selective fire machine pistol capable of fully automatic fire.

As a type of auto sear, it functions by applying force to the trigger bar to prevent it from limiting fire to one round of ammunition per trigger pull.

This device by itself, regardless if it is installed on a slide or not, is classified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to be a machine gun, making possession of the device illegal in the United States under most circumstances.

Switchies, as rappers call Glock switches, are addressed in many hip hop songs. For instance, on the 2023 album Slide or Provide, rappers from YoungBagChasers released the track “Switchy Switch Gang”. Lyrics include:

Fully on them bitches, switchy switchy switch gang

30 in my Glizzy, let my fucking clip hang

Broski pull up, shooting from the three, big Dame

He was out there trapping, caught him ‘fore his shift changed

And if you catch that nigga slipping, you just aim for his brain

And I told Dul a nigga gon’ die if he reach for his chain

And he was tough until he got hit with that fire, his life changed

And I just slimed [killed] a nigga, now I got a Gen three 19

Providing another example of switchies in hip hop, on 2022 album Crunkstar, rapper Duke Deuce featured rapper and producer Juicy J on a track entitled “Flip da Switch”. Mimicking the sound of automatic gunfire (e.g., bow, bow, bow, and grr, grr), lyrics include:

Bow, bow, bow, flip the switch, grr, grr (Ayy)

Oh, shit, damn, what the fuck you niggas doing? (What the—)

I said, bow, bow, bow, flip the switch, grr, grr (Huh?)

Oh, shit, damn, what the fuck you niggas doing?

Flip the switch, motherfucker, flip the switch (Grr, grr)

Flip the switch, motherfucker, flip the switch (Grr, grr)

Flip the switch, motherfucker, flip the switch (Grr, grr)

Flip the switch, motherfucker, flip the switch (Grr)

As the term “flip da switch” applies to my perspective on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and not necessarily firearms, I think about the ABC model. Herein, using a personal anecdote, I’ll provide a relatively brief psychoeducational lesson on self-disturbance.

Before I proceed further, allow me to issue a unique disclaimer for the ATF. I don’t possess any device that modifies firearms to fully automatic fire. Not only is that illegal, I maintain it’s irrational (not in accordance with both logic and reason) to use that function outside of combat.

Now, let’s continue with the lesson. REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, and not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence.

Suppose that when firing a Glock pistol my shot group isn’t tight (Action). I then unhelpfully Believe, “I’m shooting awfully, and I should be able to flip da switch in order to shoot better!” With that attitude, I then become angry and continue shooting poorly (Consequence).

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive assumptions in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Challenging these perspectives takes longer than I care to display herein.

In the interest of time, suppose that I Disputed my unfavorable assumption and arrived at an Effective new belief. I then maintained, “Although I’d prefer to shoot better, it’s not as though I can just flip da switch to do so. Therefore, I can instead exercise patience and self-compassion.”

Using this approach to rational living takes practice, much as competency with a firearm requires training. There’s no “flip da switch” approach to getting better. Thus, I invite you to devote daily practice toward REBT principles. Are you willing to (daily) do so, as there’s no switch to flip?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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