In this engaging discussion, Loretta Ross, a public intellectual and activist from Smith College, explores the pitfalls of cancel culture. She argues that shaming seldom leads to real change, proposing her powerful concept of 'calling in' instead. Loretta shares personal stories of confrontation and emphasizes the importance of empathy over hate. The conversation highlights the complexities of emotional responses and the necessity for vulnerability and redemption in dialogues, fostering healthier and more meaningful interactions.

Loretta Ross, a public intellectual and activist, dives deep into the complexities of cancel culture. She discusses why shaming often fails to change behavior, advocating for empathy and understanding instead. The conversation explores strategies to engage those entrenched in hate, highlighting the power of personal narratives. Ross shares her transformative journey and critiques the notion of canceling, promoting compassionate dialogues that foster redemption and growth. With a rich background in reproductive justice, she offers fresh perspectives on activism and accountability.

If you’re tired of the venom, preening, and predatory listening so common on all sides of our various cultural divides, this episode is for you. My guest today is Loretta Ross, who believes that “calling out,” which is quite common on social media these days, is adding way too much toxicity to the discourse and alienating people who might otherwise be allies. Instead, she believes in “calling in,” which steadfastly insists on a large measure of grace, and rejects the impulse to dehumanize. On today’s show, Loretta offers a compelling mode of engagement that is insistently open-minded and large-hearted, no matter where you stand on the political divide. Loretta describes herself as a radical Black feminist, activist, and public intellectual. She’s a visiting Associate Professor at Smith College, and she also teaches an online course called, Calling in the Calling Out Culture. Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/loretta-ross-316-rerunSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.