The East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) and the East Lansing-Michigan State University One Book, One Community (OBOC) Committee are excited to share a public poster exhibition entitled “Calling In.” Inspired by the work of Loretta J. Ross on Calling In the Calling Out Culture, this exhibition showcases posters from Learning for Justice and the MSU Libraries’ Special Collections. Displayed with the posters are iconic quotes from the social activists: bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and Loretta J. Ross.
The exhibition highlights the destructive reality of dehumanizing people and our long history of coming together for justice. It challenges viewers to think about the power of compassion in affecting change. Exhibition participants are encouraged to move from left to right across the exhibition and to reflect on how the quotes and posters resonate with them. Participants should consider the actions of compassion and love as techniques for change and unity—in celebration of our many differences.
Message from Library Director, Kristin Shelley:
“Professor Ross shares that calling in is calling out done with radical love and respect to achieve accountability. The posters are a wonderful demonstration and display of calling in throughout our history—a show of humanity. I am excited to share the posters and quotes with the community and hope they will help foster thoughtful conversations.”
On March 2, 2021, the OBOC program hosted a community conversation on Calling In Culture with Loretta J. Ross. Calling In is a social activism concept that centers on changing problematic behavior with intention, compassion, strategy, and patience. In her 2019 essay, “Speaking Up Without Tearing Down,” Professor Ross explains:
“Calling out happens when we point out a mistake, not to address or rectify the damage, but instead to publicly shame the offender. In calling out, a person or group uses tactics like humiliation, shunning, scapegoating or gossip to dominate others…Calling in is a technique that does allow all parties to move forward. It’s a concept created by human-rights practitioners to challenge the toxicity of call-out culture. Calling in is speaking up without tearing down.”
To view a recording of the One Book, One Community Event with Loretta J. Ross, visit the One Book, One Community page on Facebook, opens a new window. View Professor Ross' presentation from the March 2, 2021 event., opens a new window
IMG_7303
IMG_7305
IMG_7304
IMG_7308
