(Throwback) An Irresistible Movement with Reproductive Justice Activist Loretta J. Ross
Jan 6, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Loretta J. Ross, a pioneering reproductive justice activist and founder of SisterSong, reveals her journey in activism since the 1970s. She emphasizes the importance of solidarity in social movements, particularly for marginalized communities. The conversation dives into intersections of race, power, and the historical influences of reproductive rights. Loretta also critiques call-out culture, advocating for unity and empathy as essential tools for effective activism, reminding us that joy and connection can drive meaningful change.
Loretta J. Ross illustrates how her personal experiences shaped her activism, leading to the creation of the reproductive justice framework in 1994.
She emphasizes the importance of solidarity and compassionate engagement in activist communities to foster collaboration and expand the movement for social justice.
Deep dives
The Journey of Activism
Loretta J. Ross shares her personal journey that ignited her activism in the 1970s, beginning with her traumatic experiences as a teenager. After an unwanted pregnancy led to the birth of her son, her fight for educational rights drew her into feminism, which was catalyzed by the injustices she witnessed. Ross recounts her struggles against societal norms that marginalized teen mothers, emphasizing the unequal treatment compared to teenage fathers. This personal narrative illustrates the intersection of her lived experiences with her commitment to advocating for reproductive rights and social justice.
Creating the Reproductive Justice Framework
In 1994, Ross and a group of Black women activists defined the concept of reproductive justice at a pivotal conference. They recognized that existing pro-choice and pro-life movements overlooked broader issues surrounding women's lives that impact pregnancy outcomes. By combining reproductive rights with social justice, the critical framework emerged, placing emphasis on the right to have children, not have children, and raise children in safe environments. This paradigm shift invites intersectional analyses, acknowledging how various social factors affect reproductive decisions.
Addressing White Supremacy and Reproductive Rights
Ross discusses the connections between reproductive justice and white supremacy, reflecting on how historical oppression has shaped reproductive choices for marginalized communities. She credits the insights of authors like Ricky Sollinger for highlighting how reproductive policies have often targeted communities of color through forced sterilizations and restrictive laws. Understanding these dynamics is crucial to addressing contemporary access to reproductive health care amid rising restrictions. Ross advocates for recognizing and dismantling these intersections as part of the broader movement for reproductive rights.
Building Solidarity and Compassion in Activism
Ross emphasizes the importance of fostering solidarity within activist communities through compassionate engagement rather than call-out culture. She argues that movements thrive not on ideological purity but on the diversity of experiences and ideas that can work toward common goals. By adopting a 'calling in' approach, activists can invite constructive conversations that build understanding and collaboration. Ross's work highlights the necessity of maintaining joy and connection in activism, encouraging participants to recognize the uplifting aspects of fighting for justice as a means to energize and expand the movement.
Since the 1970s, Loretta J. Ross has been an instrumental activist in the fight for 'Reproductive Justice', a framework she and her colleagues created in 1994 that went beyond the pro-choice and pro-life debate. She has worked as the Director of the Women of Color Program for the National Organization for Women, the program director of the Black Women's Health Imperative the director of projects for the National Anti-Klan Network, and is an author and professor as well.Today Loretta will share some of her prolific personal and political journey and what it has taught her about the importance of solidarity, about how we create a strong movement genuinely dedicated to working together even when it's difficult to do.
Take a class, buy a book, and learn more about Loretta J. Ross at lorettajross.com