Sometimes people just don′t fit in. They may not be a member of the dominant group; they may not have figured out the norms of the dominant culture, or members of the dominant culture may not realize that the organization′s culture is marginalizing. As advocates for social justice it is important to notice and teach the cultural codes – the house rules – that contribute to success in a particular environment, and to dismantle the codes within those environments that target, marginalize or exclude. This book is helpful for

• Managers who are working to create and sustain a healthy organization culture


• Mentors of children who are targeted by their peers or other adults


• People who want to make a difference in their environment and have not yet figured out the rules for doing that

What People are Saying

"Fish Out of Water is a great resource for navigating ponds that suffocate the marginalized with dominant norms and values. Linking Cultural Proficiency to decoding an environment provides more tools for code switching, code sharing, and conversations about making students and families feel welcomed, included, and safe in our schools."

—Angela Ward, Office of Cultural Proficiency & Inclusion

Austin Independent Schools, TX

"This book made me think. It is a courageous attempt at the difficult subject of who ‘doesn′t fit’ into the spaces and places we inhabit—and why. But the most valuable part of this book is that it describes what we can do about making our schools, workplaces, and communities more inclusive, and ultimately more effective."

—Nicki King, Reducing Mental Health Disparities Project

University of California, Davis