Subtle Acts of Exclusion
by Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran, 2020
- instead of using the term “microaggressions” you can use the term Subtle Acts of Exclusion
- much like bias, we will all say and do things that might be considered SAE
- subject (the person excluded), initiator (the person who says or does the SAE), observer (if they say something, they’re an ally; if they don’t they’re a bystander)
- overall, this book is promoting the authors’ services for addressing SAE and bias in the workplace. it’s a short read and the take-aways are easy to understand. they’ll also be offering training sessions in 2023, might be worth attending
Guidelines For Speaking Up As The SAE Subject Or Observer:
- Pause the action.
- Assume good intent.
- Explain why the action was paused.
- Have patience but expect progress.
Guidelines For Responding As The SAE Initiator:
- Acknowledge the feedback with gratitude.
- Replace defensiveness with curiosity and empathy.
- Follow through and follow up.
Think before you speak. Ask yourself:
- Is what I am about to say/ask based on stereotypes or assumptions about a marginalized group?
- Is what I am about to say/ask unnecessarily intrusive?
- Am I overstepping?
- Is what I am about to say based in kindness and generosity or the opposite?
- Do I have the authority/right to tell/ask this person to comply with my request?
- Is this a good use of my authority/privilege?
- Would I say the same thing to a person of a different gender/color/race, etc.?
- Is this going to make the person feel inadequate or as if they don’t belong?
- Does this question their normalcy or make them feel like a threat or a curiosity?
- Will this make someone feel invisible, as if they are not an individual?
SAE Accountability in the workplace:
- Expect SAE to happen
- Communicate the norm
- practice speaking up