Unsaid: Analyzing Harmful Silences

This book is a guide to understanding and uncovering what is left unsaid, concealed, or silenced, using real-world examples and strategies to analyze and dismantle power structures that create and arise from what goes without saying.

Format: Hardback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Harm takes shape in and through what is suppressed, left out, or taken for granted. This book is a guide to understanding and uncovering what is left unsaid—whether concealed or silenced, presupposed or excluded. Drawing on a variety of real-world examples, narrative criminologist Lois Presser outlines how to determine what or who is excluded from textual materials. With strategies that can be added to the tool kits of social researchers and activists alike, Unsaid provides a richly layered approach to analyzing and dismantling the power structures that both create and arise from what goes without saying.

Unsaid is a groundbreaking book that delves into the realm of hidden narratives and the power structures that shape our world. Written by narrative criminologist Lois Presser, the book offers a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the ways in which silence and exclusion operate in various contexts.

Through a series of real-world examples, Presser demonstrates how to identify and analyze the ways in which certain voices and perspectives are marginalized or excluded from textual materials. She explores the various mechanisms that perpetuate these exclusions, such as language barriers, cultural norms, and power dynamics.

One of the key themes of Unsaid is the importance of recognizing and challenging the presuppositions and assumptions that underlie our understanding of the world. Presser argues that our assumptions are often based on limited or biased information, and that this can lead to misunderstandings and harmful consequences. By examining the ways in which presuppositions are embedded in our language and culture, Unsaid provides readers with the tools to challenge these assumptions and promote a more inclusive and equitable society.

Another important aspect of the book is its emphasis on the role of social researchers and activists in uncovering and challenging unsaid narratives. Presser provides practical strategies and techniques that can be used to analyze and interpret textual materials, and to identify and challenge the exclusions that exist in our society. These strategies are valuable not only for social researchers but also for activists working to promote social change and justice.

Unsaid is a thought-provoking and powerful book that offers a new perspective on the ways in which power operates in our society. It is a must-read for anyone interested in social justice, cultural analysis, and the power of language and narrative. By challenging our presuppositions and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society, Unsaid provides a roadmap for building a better world.

Weight: 363g
Dimension: 210 x 140 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520384934