Conversation with Professor Loretta J. Ross-Conversation with Professor Loretta J. Ross

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Professor Loretta Ross, a pioneering Black feminist and co-founder of the reproductive justice framework, advocates for shifting from a “call-out” culture of public shaming toward a “calling in” practice rooted in respect, love, and forgiveness. Drawing on her decades of activism—from leading the DC Rape Crisis Center to opposing white supremacy—she emphasizes that divisiveness within human rights movements weakens collective power against rising fascism and oppression. Ross explains the “5C continuum” of accountability: calling out (public shaming), calling in (private, compassionate accountability), calling on (expecting better without investing energy), calling it off (setting boundaries), and canceling (deplatforming as a last resort). She stresses that calling in is hard but essential, beginning with self-reflection and managing one’s trauma-driven impulses, to foster growth rather than humiliation. Given the high trauma prevalence in social justice communities, she encourages trauma-informed approaches to avoid internal conflict and foster collaboration. Ross highlights the need for emotional, cultural, relational, and integrity intelligence to sustain movements focused on human rights. She also distinguishes individuals within organizations, urging coalition-building by identifying allies across ideological wings rather than stereotyping entire institutions. Addressing racial trauma and anti-Blackness, she underscores the exhaustion and dual consciousness experienced by people of color navigating systemic racism while calling others to accountability. Ross envisions reproductive justice as part of a broader “compassion justice” movement uniting diverse struggles around love-based accountability to confront systemic violence, white supremacy, and authoritarianism. Ultimately, she calls for strategic, compassionate engagement that embraces humanity in allies and opponents alike to preserve “the chain of freedom” across generations.

Keywords

Loretta Ross

reproductive justice

calling in

call-out culture

5C continuum

accountability

trauma-informed

human rights movements

white supremacy

compassion justice