Subtle Acts of Exclusion, Second Edition

How to Understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions

By: Tiffany Jana, Michael Baran

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

This new edition of the first practical, nonjudgmental handbook on dealing with microaggressions has been thoroughly updated for the post George Floyd, post Covid world.

Overt discrimination is relatively easy to spot. But the less obvious but more common actions that make people feel left out or stigmatized in our workplaces, commonly called microaggressions, can be hard to identify—and even harder to deal with.

The author use a clearer, more accurate term: subtle acts of exclusion (SAE). After all, people generally aren’t trying to be aggressive—usually they’re trying to say something nice, learn more about a person, or be funny. Bring accused of aggression shuts the conversation down when you want to open it up.

This book features examples, tools, sample scripts, and action plans to help listeners prevent subtle acts of aggression from happening, or deal with them when they do.

Updated throughout, this second edition features:

• A greatly expanded chapter on “intentional acts of inclusion”—actions for creating a sense of belonging.
• A discussion and activity guide ideal for book clubs and training sessions.
• A new concluding chapter.

Whether in the form of stereotypes, assumptions, backhanded compliments, or objectification, SAEs are damaging to our coworkers, friends, and acquaintances. This book is your friendly, accessible, non-judgemental guide to creating a welcoming workplace.

©2023 Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran (P)2023 Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran

Very thorough!

I appreciate that the book covers a range of topics and it’s filled with various examples and offers guidelines on how to address subtle acts of exclusion from three different potential roles in the interaction, or even when there is not interaction at all. I also liked reference to other resources throughout the book. This book was made with love! I’ll be putting into practice what I have learned and spread the word to others on this very important matter.

Approachable, Informative, Important

This is one of the best books I have read (or listened to). I wish everyone would read it to give us all this helpful framework and shared vocabulary for discussing potentially difficult topics. It gave me the courage to speak up about SAE, and since using the ideas and methods suggested in this book I have had much more successful conversations about SAE and received many compliments on how I bring the discussions. I always respond that I learned it all from this book and I highly recommend it!

I learned things I am already using

I love the clear explanation of how each specific exclusion gets interpreted and causes harm. I especially love examples of what to do instead, and how to handle a slip with respect and a good chance of bringing people closer together.

Clear Framework and Timely

This book is a must read for folks looking to strengthen their cultural fluency, understand impact vs intent, and have clear actions to put in place to grow self and businesses they work in. Many pages were tabbed and I know I’ll re-read and reference in the future.