A Note On Call-Out Culture

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ANoteonCallOutCultureBriarpatchMagazine
A Note on Call-Out Culture

BY ASAM AHMAD MAR 2, 2015 POLITICS, SOCIETY
Asam Ahmad
Call-out culture refers to the tendency among progressives, radicals, activists, and community organizers to publicly name instances or
patterns of oppressive behaviour and language use by others. People can be called out for statements and actions that are sexist, racist,
ableist, and the list goes on. Because call-outs tend to be public, they can enable a particularly armchair and academic brand of
activism: one in which the act of calling out is seen as an end in itself.
What makes call-out culture so toxic is not necessarily its frequency so much as the nature and performance of the call-out itself.
Especially in online venues like Twitter and Facebook, calling someone out isnt just a private interaction between two individuals: its a
public performance where people can demonstrate their wit or how pure their politics are. Indeed, sometimes it can feel like the
performance itself is more significant than the content of the call-out. This is why calling in has been proposed as an alternative to
calling out: calling in means speaking privately with an individual who has done some wrong, in order to address the behaviour
http://briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/anoteoncalloutculture
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without making a spectacle of the address itself.

In the context of call-out culture, it is easy to forget that the individual we are calling out is a human being, and that different human
beings in different social locations will be receptive to different strategies for learning and growing. For instance, most call-outs I have
witnessed immediately render anyone who has committed a perceived wrong as an outsider to the community. One action becomes a
reason to pass judgment on someones entire being, as if there is no difference between a community member or friend and a random
stranger walking down the street (who is of course also someones friend). Call-out culture can end up mirroring what the prison
industrial complex teaches us about crime and punishment: to banish and dispose of individuals rather than to engage with them as
people with complicated stories and histories.
It isnt an exaggeration to say that there is a mild totalitarian undercurrent not just in call-out culture but also in how progressive
communities police and define the bounds of whos in and whos out. More often than not, this boundary is constructed through the use
of appropriate language and terminology a language and terminology that are forever shifting and almost impossible to keep up with.
In such a context, it is impossible not to fail at least some of the time. And what happens when someone has mastered proficiency in
languages of accountability and then learned to justify all of their actions by falling back on that language? How do we hold people to
account who are experts at using anti-oppressive language to justify oppressive behaviour? We dont have a word to describe this kind
of perverse exercise of power, despite the fact that it occurs on an almost daily basis in progressive circles. Perhaps we could call it antioppressivism.
Humour often plays a role in call-out culture and by drawing attention to this I am not saying that wit has no place in undermining
oppression; humour can be one of the most useful tools available to oppressed people. But when people are reduced to their identities
of privilege (as white, cisgender, male, etc.) and mocked as such, it means were treating each other as if our individual social locations
stand in for the total systems those parts of our identities represent. Individuals become synonymous with systems of oppression, and
this can turn systemic analysis into moral judgment. Too often, when it comes to being called out, narrow definitions of a persons
identity count for everything.
No matter the wrong we are naming, there are ways to call people out that do not reduce individuals to agents of social advantage.
There are ways of calling people out that are compassionate and creative, and that recognize the whole individual instead of viewing
them simply as representations of the systems from which they benefit. Paying attention to these other contexts will mean refusing to
unleash all of our very real trauma onto the psyches of those we imagine to only represent the systems that oppress us. Given the nature
of online social networks, call-outs are not going away any time soon. But reminding ourselves of what a call-out is meant to accomplish
will go a long way toward creating the kinds of substantial, material changes in peoples behaviour and in community dynamics
that we envision and need.
Asam Ahmad is a Toronto-based writer who still has a hard time trusting words. He coordinates the It Gets Fatter Project, a body positivity
group started by fat queer people of colour.
Tags: activism, call-out culture, identity politics
This article appeared in the March/April 2015 issue of Briarpatch.

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Comments (73)
Thank you so much for saying what I have been struggling for 10 years to express.
From A. L. on Mar 2nd, 2015 at 1:10pm
This is a fantastic article, thank you Asam.
Ive been thinking about this a lot, and the ways in which restorative justice principles can be applied in our progressive communities. Obviously,
many of us are not always in a position to handle something delicately, on account of our own traumatic experiences getting triggered, so I think the
answer is in terms of holding people accountable for using anti-oppressive rhetoric abusively will be very tricky.
I think perhaps that accountability processes should largely be built during less-emotionally charged situations (i.e. before and after), and establishing
intentional protocols? or norms within the community for dealing with situations before they occur. So that when people do get inevitably worked
up and confrontational, that that is ALSO dealt with compassionately.
We might not always feel safe to contact someone personally (i.e. have a call-in), or have those kinds of vulnerable discussions with people we
perceive as holding oppressive beliefs- and we shouldnt be expected to always be able to handle those times with grace. But if there is a wider
community agreement that these types of principles are important, and an explicit commitment to this type of dialog, then stepping in to try to
facilitate those conflicts might be easier and better received.
People do not like being told that their behavior is abusive, especially those of us who are committed to fighting abuse, so another part of this process
might (somewhat counter-intuitively) involve humanizing and destigmatizing abuse. Not necessarily destigmatizing the specific abusive behaviors;
rather, intentionally separating the value of a person from the abusive behavior, and committing to demonstrate compassionate understanding of how
abusive behaviors are often developed in the context of responding to being abused.
From Megan in United States on Mar 2nd, 2015 at 3:12pm
Usually POC and and queer people have to bear their oppressions privately. Someone hurls a slur, injustice or microaggression and it lives with us. We
take it home and let it press us into the ground. When it gets unbearable we wrap it around our necks and hang from it. But it is not ours. The shame
and weight of the ignorance that or malice that causes folks to act savagely towards us is their own shame to bear.
Call-outs are like formal accusations of rape they dont happen nearly enough. And you can bet for every one that happens there are many people
that swallowed the insult and silently walked away. But somehow you propose that my concern should lie with those who are called out because the
punishment which usually just involves a public accounting of something they actually did or said. I cant.
Check this. I am not responsible to educate those who do not respect my humanity. I am not required to keep private aggressions private. I am
definitely not invested in having any one on one encounters with someone who through action or language has dehumanized me.
Progressive communities can be catty and hypocritical like any community. Yet to try and say that the high-school nature that many communities
devolve into is because people get called out on oppression is shortsighted.
From Hellfire in Glasgow on Mar 2nd, 2015 at 3:26pm
YES.
From David Sutcliffe in Toronto on Mar 2nd, 2015 at 5:30pm
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very valuable points raised here would just add the need to also identify the use of calling out as a means of putting pressure on individuals who
hold public positions of power and the historical significance of rallying campaigns around individuals as pressure points
i think also this raises (for me) questions about the impact of individuated politics in the absence of strong movements and formations as points of
reference. Now it has become acceptable and even the norm to develop a personal politics and employ that persona for more than just political but
social or economic gains. it does complicate who and how can be challenged.
From PuzzleOrganizer on Mar 2nd, 2015 at 6:14pm
agreed with many of the points raised and would also add that there is value in differentiating individuals who hold public positions of power and
have been targeted publicly as a means of creating pressure for change
this is also becomes complicated when you take into account the growth of individuated politics in the absence of strong formations or collective
points of reference. when individuals build social and economic power on the basis of their individual political positions using tools like social
media how else can they be challenged? and of course this practice devolves into only the low hanging fruit being targeted in a frenzied free for all
with as you described, no accountability or responsibility for a growing culture of calling out in ways that further dehumanizes us all
From PuzzleOrganiser on Mar 2nd, 2015 at 6:25pm
Thank you for this. The understanding that complexity of individual experience cuts across all the lines we draw in the sand is, to me, the starting
point for useful communication. Respect and restraint and an attempt to appreciate other peoples particular set of circumstances can be a lot of work
but it does pay off more often than not. But it is this paragraph that I am going to hang on my wall, it is so well observed and articulated it means
were treating each other as if our individual social locations stand in for the total systems those parts of our identities represent. Individuals become
synonymous with systems of oppression, and this can turn systemic analysis into moral judgment. Too often, when it comes to being called out,
narrow definitions of a persons identity count for everything.
From Tim McEown in Toronto on Mar 2nd, 2015 at 10:08pm
Hellfire,
You say that [you are] not responsible to educate those who do not respect my humanity. I am not required to keep private aggressions private. I
agree. But Id argue that at some point, someone somewhere has to do so in order to reduce the oppression in the world a generation from now. You
say you cant. Thats fair. Tell your privileged allies to read this article and so that they do the work to teach other people with privilege to be allies, too.
From Tyler in Eugene on Mar 2nd, 2015 at 11:12pm
Your analysis reminds me of the discourse of white philosophers of the 1700s to 1900s. The phenomenon under discussion used to be called gossip
and was swapped among men playing poker or women playing bridgeusually of a middle class persuasion.
From Lea Littlewolfe (nee Lyons) in Mont Nebo, Saskatchewan on Mar 2nd, 2015 at 11:13pm
Hey Asam,
Great article. I agree with most of your points. I especially like this: And what happens when someone has mastered proficiency in languages of
accountability and then learned to justify all of their actions by falling back on that language? How do we hold people to account who are experts at
using anti-oppressive language to justify oppressive behaviour? We dont have a word to describe this kind of perverse exercise of power, despite the
fact that it occurs on an almost daily basis in progressive circles.
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On this issue in particular, you might appreciate the following article (if you havent already read it):
http://jezebel.com/what-happen[]
From Greg Liggett in United States on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 12:31am
This is a subject that may take a lifetime to finesse, with many mistakes made, and hopefully many more beautiful learning moments created. B.A.R.
stands for blame, anger, regret. The blame game is a very easy trap to fall into. When someones words or actions hurt us it is easy to let anger control
us. Thoughts of blame revolve around in our minds until we become angry. When we speak from here our words make us angrier and the person on the
receiving end usually becomes angry or shuts us out. Living with this anger, for as long as it lasts, affects all of our interactions in subtle ways. Then
when we calm down we regret our approach and blame ourselves. Emotionally damaging for everyone.
Mindful thinking means working out the root of the problem, which saves us from reacting negatively from the pain. With empathy and compassion,
other peoples actions dont feel as personal and hopefully our words are then received and some healing takes place.
Best to avoid any important encounter until ideas and words to use have been carefully considered. Sometimes this just takes a deep breathe and a
moment to collect our thoughts.
From nina in Vancouver, Canada on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 12:40am
http://theanarchistlibrary.org[]
From fnord in Tejas on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 1:32am
Thank you so much for this article! It was a very good read and has opened my eyes to a lot of things!
From Caz in Adelaide, Australia on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 2:08am
This is a remarkable piece of writing. I have been thinking about this subject/issue a lot recently and had not been able to articulate the way I feel.
Then I read this and was like, Thats what I think, thats the way I feel. So thank you, Asam.
From Dave Jaffer in Canada on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 2:46am
I love the idea of this but I worry greatly about how calling in could affect the people around you. What if simply talking to the troubled individual
doesnt work? What if staying silent means that youre putting people at risk? Rapist are a good example to use. We certainly cant trust the justice
system to keep them locked away while theyre of danger to others (if thats even the right solution). Are there even any therapies or programs to stop
them from offending? Can you really help stop rape by speaking to the offender?
Basically, my question to the author is: Is it ever okay to call people out?
From Dee in Canada on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 3:28am
Thank you so much. You said perfectly what Ive been feeling for a long time and couldnt figure out how to articulate. I am so grateful for this!
From J.L. Ettin in United States on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 10:10am
Critique of call out culture is SO important, thank you for writing this. As much as the anger of the oppressed is legitimate and deserves expression
far too often a call out will turn into an opportunity for mass revenge harassment. Harmful and violent beliefs / behaviours operating within a
framework of oppression deserve to be criticized, shamed and, ultimately, corrected. I think there is a lot of value in publicly calling out offenders
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(like what some people have expressed here in the comments). At the same time its important to keep sight of our human-ness. To understand that we
are all steeped in oppressive systems that touch nearly all aspects of our existence and cognition. As Tran wrote, Calling In is not a proposed substitute
for Calling Out but its a valuable tool to add to our belts.
From Kitty Rode in Canada on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 11:39am
Thanks for this article and for all the comments thus far. I work with restorative justice and can definitely see how many of those principles, which
essentially are about building communities that decrease harm over time, could be applied here. The work is difficult and there is a lot of passion
around and voices being heard that havent been heard before or in a long time. It is difficult to dismantle systems without reflecting them ourselves.
For me the most important thing to remember is that the current system as a whole is damaging to all of us collectively. Obviously some bear more of
the burden than others. On a different level oppressors are damaged too, and running on programming like everyone else. I am reminded of mediation
strategies and the idea that the pie we are seeking to divide can be made larger. My belief is that overall fairness and equality will make the pie bigger,
so that it is in the interest of everyone to see things change, even those who are resistant to change (intentionally or not). Adopting the strategies of
what we seek to change (the prison complex for instance) is a way of dividing the pie into ever smaller portions. Addressing harms in ways that make
us all stronger and less likely to do harm make the pie bigger. I really like the idea that everyone isnt always up for this work, and thus we can work to
establish systems ahead of time when possible and find those who are able. The responsibility should be shared by choice with our overall goal
creating healthy communities in the midst of our damaged world.
From John in Athens, Georgia USA on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 12:13pm
Truth.
From syd on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 12:30pm
When the criticism is solely terminology based it is also at severe risk of being ableist and to a certain extent classist.
Those that do not have the time, ability, or training to keep up with the swirl of language should not be excluded from discourse.
It is very important to learn the difference between plain ignorance and wilful ignorance.
From Rhiannon in Wales on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 1:17pm
I agree with you. Too many times i see call outs going to easy targets who already agree thay opression is wrong, rather than to the real jerks. I think
call ins are much better. They are for the betterment of the person who made a mistake, not a public circus.
From helen wendel in US on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 4:08pm
It is important to distinguish between calling out actions need calling out, we all make mistakes, and calling out the person for their actions. Calling
out a person because you dont like one, or some of their actions misses the mark and creates confusion.
From Tracy Kolenchuk in Arequipa, Peru and St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 5:24pm
This is brilliantly articulated and very cogent to my own work and communities. Thank you.
From Michael in Hau'ula, Hawaii on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 5:42pm
i love this! isnt calling out sometimes a defence mechanism, and a sole option? the article doesnt address the lack of options available in some
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instances. you cant always confront an oppressor in quiet intimate one on one setting.
From andrew in toronto on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 7:15pm
While I agree with the general point of this article, comparing callout culture to totalitarianism and the prison-industrial complex is a bit much.
From David in NYC on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 8:48pm
I feel like the idea of calling out someone only is a good idea if the person is genuinely harmful and calling them out will provide something of value
to other people. Examples: xyz is a rapist, stay away from them, so-and-so is lying about [event], dont listen to them heres some sources
The problem comes when you have shit like call-out posts for things like teenagers being problematic or call-outs being used as an amplified
version of gossip. Some things never change.
From AA in Phoenix on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 9:20pm
BRILLIANT. Thank you so much for writing this.
I experienced a situation on facebook approximately a year ago, where people in my academic department called me out over the content of a solitary
facebook status.
It was a clear case of calling out, where said individuals could have easily chosen to call in (i.e. messaged me privately, sent me an e-mail, sought
me out in person).
As you said above, it becomes an us versus them a dehumanization of the person called out. The one called out becomes the butt of ridicule (the
humor, or wit factor) and is made to seem less than or a (political/academic/ideological) fraud. Its probably the basest act Ive ever encountered in
a social media setting.
Its counterproductive for myriad reasons but probably most profoundly, because it replicates the functioning of the systems it claims to fight
against.
From Anonymous in United States on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 9:27pm
Thank you for writing this article. Ive been thinking about it all day. To me, call out culture is a byproduct of privileged academic environments where
policing peoples behavior is used as a stand in for pushing for social change. At best, its a way to play, to practice and to experiment when the stakes
are low. At worst, its a destructive waste of time and disposing of people is a luxury in activism that we dont have time for. But, I disagree that its not
key for allies to practice being treated as if our individual social locations stand in for the total systems those parts of our identities represent. It does
not feel good to be reduced to a privileged identity, but that doesnt mean its not important. Part of the process of dismantling classism or racism is for
people of color and poor people to fight to be seen as an individual, and not as a collection of imposed stereotypes. Conversely, a big part of having
privilege is internalizing the idea that you are unique, and special, in an attempt to hide the commonality you have with other people who are
privileged in the same way and to make that privilege invisible to you. Having people be angry at you because you are white/male/middle class/etc
and symbolize a system of oppression, hearing that anger, really listening to the imperfectly phrased frustration of someone else, and responding with
compassionthat can be cathartic for oppressed folks who are so rarely heard and transformative for privileged people. Im concerned that some folks
Ive seen reposting this are interpreting this as support for requiring more niceness from the people theyre saying messed up things to, which given
your amazing activist work, Im sure was not the intent of this piece.
From Shana in Washington on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 9:55pm
Oh oh oh thank you! Anti-oppresivism, totalitarian undercurrents, righteous arrogance abound, and they hamper all our movements. Excellent post!
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From George Inotowok in United States on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 10:42pm

I understand the need to be nuanced when calling someone out in attempts to win their support and convince them of anti-oppression politics as
opposed to blasting them before they have a chance to understand where the oppressed is coming from.
At the same time, arent we giving victims and survivors more work? If the person deserves be called out and was acting abusively or incorrectly, if they
are a true revolutionary, they will welcome the feedback and adjust their language and behavior. Its upsetting for women especially to have to monitor
their speech and be polite when were insulted, harassed, silenced and dominated AND THEN have to sugar coat some wrongness.
I think the authors missing a HUGE piece, which is acknowledging survivor pain and experience. Chances are the person being called out, has
wronged someone in the same way before and they probably deserve to be checked in a comradely way.
From Tiffany Wallace in United States on Mar 4th, 2015 at 12:44am
Thanks for this article Asam. I am curious if you would be willing to share some ideas about at what point, if any, you think calling out is an
appropriate tactic? For instance, one thing that comes to mind is calling out rapists and abusers who have refused to take accountability when
confronted in private, and will continue to harm other people in the community. In this case, calling out seems like an effective way of keeping people
safer by letting them know Hey, this person has raped and abused people and is not safe for you to be around!.
From Jesse Taylor in United States on Mar 4th, 2015 at 2:01am
Dear Mr. Ahmad,
The day I was sent your blog post, I had just published one on a very similar topic (http://www.aceofspadespdx.com/[]).
Mine specifically dealt in more slightly more direct language. I believe that people forget they live in glass houses, and they are subject to the same
type of scrutiny, but often, when the tables are turned, they simply block or unfriend. It leads to a type of ignorance, and sadly, there are many out
there who will believe anything someone says, because it triggers their defense mechanism and illustrates their own fear.
Do I believe calling in has its place? To an extent. I came into the leather community (not the broader gay community) in 1984, and we believed that
vocal, queer visibility was key to our survival (ACTUP, silence=death). I also believe that unless the previous caller out is willing to do some follow
up once education has taken place, then no one is being educated or allowed to form an opinion based upon multiple points of view.
More than anything, I do believe we should use calling out in order to expose hypocrisy within our own communities, and I am speaking specifically
about the LGBTQ community. Sometimes, it may be the only way to expose real social injustice where it lives. As Deep Throat said to Woodward and
Bernstein, follow the money.
My two, and thank you for your bravery in posting this.
Ben Brown Jr.
http://www.aceofspadespdx.com
Beaverton, OR
From Ben Brown Jr. in United States on Mar 4th, 2015 at 6:59am
The very fact that there have been such a spate of articles critical of/hostile to call out culture over the last couple of years makes me think that use of
the term totalitarianism is on an empirical level entirely, completely, wrong. A totalitarian mindset on the left wouldnt permit such critiques;
indeed, they wouldnt even be thinkable (on a more pedantic level, how do you have a mild totalitarianism? either something is total or it isnt). Yet
there are numerous criticisms of call-out culture and safer spaces in movement praxis. People still all too easily get away with saying and enacting
all kinds of shit.
I also think that its politically dangerous to use the term totalitarian. Those arguing against call-out culture (and there have been a lot of them in the
last 18 months ago in writing and in practice) often use the terms policing too, and Ive seen fascist used with alarming frequency/idiocy. I simply
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dont accept that refusing to tolerate particular behaviours is the same as exercising power-over in the way these terms imply. Making the movement
safe for victims of abuse (which is what this is so often about) is not policing, nor is it fascist. Not having the resources to help people overcome their
structural position is not the same as behaving like the neoliberal state, as many argue; excluding people from your space is not the same as putting
them in prison. We need our movement to be safe for women, sex workers, queers, trans people, people of colour etc more than we need it to be
populated by those who make them feel unsafe.
Its important to look at who makes these claims too. I know this is a Canadian piece, but in the UK one of the more prominent recent pieces in the
movement over here (on safer spaces) was written by someone who disrupted an accountability process set up for precisely the reasons this article
outlines (to make the survivor of serious abuse and others safe but to ensure the abuser wasnt excommunicated forever, and adapted his behaviour).
Other critics of safer spaces have harassed trans people and attracted abusers to their particular sections of the movement, sometimes deliberately
(they are quite literally using reasonable criticisms of safe spaces to create space for abusers on the left. In fact, in one case, Id say that their intention
isnt even to further the left but to troll feminists and trans people).
Despite all this, I think the issue around what might be called call out literacy as (potential?) cover for abuse is an important one. As good practice
becomes cemented it will ossify, and people will manipulate it to their advantage/others will cease to be as on guard as they perhaps once were. Im
not aware of this happening yet to a considerable extent, but my experience as a cis hetero white guy means Im not well-placed to judge, so a) it
doesnt happen as much; b) we shouldnt be on guard against it. The question then becomes how you talk about this without empowering those critical
of safer spaces/call-out culture for all the wrong reasons.
I think call-in is reasonable as a tactic to be deployed on occasion (and it is used frequently, for fucks sake), but it can never become a rule because
its clearly inadequate in some circumstances (sometimes its important others hear/see that call-out: if someone says something racist its vital that is
publicly flagged up, otherwise the space is unsafe to any people of colour in attendance; and abusers need to be publicly held to account, rather than
having the matter dealt with privately). In other words, part of the problem is that so much is being conflated here. Should men who unwittingly
reproduce patriarchy in relatively minor ways (by not giving women space to speak, for example, which I know I have a tendency of doing) be
excluded from the movement or publicly humiliated? Quite possibly not (though it may be necessary on occasion); and maybe calling-in would be a
better tactic. To condemn them as hopelessly misogynistic and beyond redemption would probably be to focus on the individual at the expense of the
structures that produce them. But theres got to be a fucking line drawn somewhere; and you absolutely cannot say the same about abusers,
serial/serious misogynists/racists/transphobes.
Finally, I just want to touch on the moralising/holier-than-thou/purity angle so many bring to this debate. Perhaps Im reading this through the lens of
Mark Fishers vampire castle piece too readily, but seems to me that this argument in and of itself is a moralising exercise (not least because its so
often coupled with tone-policing). Its every bit as much separating out the good and bad leftists as those who are apparently moralising. Yet
through some strange reversal its those who dont like calling stuff out/safer spaces who become the pure, real leftists; whilst those who do are
somehow holding back the (otherwise imminent) revolution.
From DB in UK on Mar 4th, 2015 at 8:00am
I am on the side of allowing the frequent targets of hate speech, including LGBTs like myself, to be human and vent and discuss it. I think this is
necessary for us whether it proves anything politically or not. People need catharsis, more than the world needs us to be perfectly nice about bigoted
meanness.
From Tommy in Portland, OR on Mar 4th, 2015 at 12:03pm
Brilliant writing and wonderfully thoughtful approach to a growing problem Ive been seeing around the interwebs! Thank you so much for the time
and energy you spent on such an important issue!
From Nick Sorg in United States on Mar 4th, 2015 at 12:20pm
hellfire in glasgow ~ thank you
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tyler in eugene:
while i imagine folks might get upset with my public comment & characterize it as participating in call out culture please know it is an attempt to
follow your directive & teach other people with privilege to be allies, too
this article addresses the importance of tone when calling someone out or in, stressing the importance of remembering their entire humanity beyond
particular roles & it seems the same is fair for potential allies addressing folks from marginalized communities who have shared their truth to keep in
mind
when someone is Instructed something along the lines of Tell your privileged allies to read this article i can certainly see how that could be received
as a microagression that perpetuate problematic power structures in our society
another problem many folks with privilege face is how weve sort of been conditioned to expect others to teach us rather than having to do more of the
heavy lifting so to speak
i used to share the assumption that someone somewhere had to be willing to help educate me as i wanted to help end oppression & thought i was
ready/willing to learn
i now understand why so many have concerns about it, esp as there is Lots of material already out there when were willing to work for it the article
this one references & seems to presume to expand on offers a lot more useful insight imho.
im a Huge fan of jay smooth & think this particular talk does a terrific job at explaining a lot of these things far better than i can ;)
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M[]
From ~ r in usa on Mar 4th, 2015 at 5:39pm
Thank you for speaking to the symbolic mind. This was a fantastic piece that I wish all progressives would have an opportunity to read and take to
heart.
From C in Washington and Texas on Mar 4th, 2015 at 6:59pm
Id say totalitarian is apt (or at least it aspires to be totalitarian). This sort of stuff really does turn into a system whereby any questioning or critique is
very easily transmuted into a proof of ones guilt by the masters of anti-oppressive discourse, and more often than not simply accepted by others in the
community. Its a way of point scoring and status-climbing by using arguments that, unfortunately, we ourselves on the left have incentivized.
From zmashd on Mar 4th, 2015 at 7:14pm
A nicely done, nuanced piece. I dont work in an academic environment any longer (but did so for many years) and no longer encounter call-out
culture or language policing other than on the internet.
The issue reminds me of when I was very young and lived in a radical defense collective. The collective had regular Maoist-like criticism/self-criticism
sessions. It took me a while to figure out that some members used these sessions to exert their power by belittling others for insufficiently pure politics
or for straying from a political line laid down by these same critics. There were lots of self-righteous gotcha moments. Nothing was advanced other
than inflated egos. This crap was not limited to our little group, it intruded into larger organizations and activist meetings. Lots of people gave up on
left politics, finding too many personal interactions to be oppressive and annoying rather than liberating.
There is a difference between truly harmful people with ill intent and those not current on the latest PC terminology or who offend out of ignorance.
The later can be educated but not when those doing the criticism are mostly in it for their own ego gratification.
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From Dr. Hilarius in United States on Mar 4th, 2015 at 11:29pm

Huzzah to you, sir. Huzzah to you for saying something that would get me excised from every social group I have if I even gestured at. Ive been called
out many times for wrongs I supposedly committed, and in the vast majority of cases, I literally dont know to this day what it was that I did. All I know
is that someone decided that they had an opportunity to humiliate me publicly, accuse me of massive bigotries, and thereby exclude me from wherever
I was, all, I presume, because someone else who resembled me did things to people who resembled them. It s the reason I dont volunteer at my local
gay rights advocacy group anymore. It got to the point where I was not able to speak to anyone without risking being attacked. In some cases
physically.
Im sure calling people out helps someone, but 99% of what I see is nothing but point-scoring by people who feel justified in bullying others, relying
on a progressives sense of personal shame at having repressed someone to get away with it. A true bigot would not care if they were called out. An ally
who has made a mistake (or in some cases is simply accused of making one) does. So who are we really hurting here? And what are we really gaining?
From Jason in San Francisco on Mar 5th, 2015 at 1:50am
This is much appreciated. Thank you.
From Nick in NYC on Mar 5th, 2015 at 1:45pm
Thank you.
I am a very busy person, too busy to live on Tumblr. Yet simply because I have not been there in three months, and was not aware that a word that was
perfectly acceptable three months ago had now been replaced, I have been screamed at for being an oppressor (when I am a long-time activist). There
is a simple word for this, and it is bullying. All the person had to say was Oh, that word is now considered oppressive because of x reason. We now use
word y instead. Educate and support community members, dont scream.
I facilitate a FB group which has a lot of members who have barely graduated from high school, but who are genuinely interested in queer issues. But
when they dont use the right word, or speak in the right way, these highly educated, privileged people are screaming at them about being
oppressors, not noticing that they are the ones doing the oppressing
From Estraven on Mar 5th, 2015 at 6:24pm
It Gets Fatter Project, a body positivity group started by fat queer people of colour.
Thats a parody organisation, right?
From Mousey Tongue in Moose Feathers, SK on Mar 5th, 2015 at 7:44pm
This article assumes that people who deploy the call-out culture have the correct moral positions on everything, and that the rest of us need or
require your corrections and lectures.
Speaking for myself, no thank you.
From Socrates on Mar 5th, 2015 at 9:49pm
Thank you for this. So much.
From Riggsveda in Philadelphia on Mar 6th, 2015 at 2:54am
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This is what happened to Patricia Arquette, and it was crap.

From Brant Lamb in Dexter, Mi on Mar 6th, 2015 at 6:43am
Isnt the better course to call out the ism than the person making the presumably ugly remark? do we even have to name the person/perpetrator?
if a powerful person, yes-if a governor makes a racist remark this must be pointed out, as a person with that kind of authority can really do some
damage.
but if your neighbor, or mine, does the same, will naming her or him help fix things?? i wonder.
maybe this issue is best solved on a case-by-case basis, but with the default being that publi shaming is rarely necessary and is to be saved for those
who really need it.
From Brendan Sexton in United States on Mar 6th, 2015 at 9:12am
This touches a lot on what I was trying to express with my three responses to Chaits now infamous article.
The gist of which may be summed up as I grew up Southern Baptist, and if I approved of ostentatious public displays of virtue and in-group boundary
policing as means of advancing ones own social status, I wouldnt have left.
From Andrew in United States on Mar 6th, 2015 at 11:02am
This resonates with something Ive been thinking about a lot lately: Where does racism exist?
We often hear someone say, So-and-so doesnt have a racist bone in their body.
The charge of being a racist is so totalizing that it cant be made, and when it is, the accused is beyond the pale and no longer fit for discussion.
But racism isnt in our bones or blood. Its in what we say and do, and what we think. Most of the people I know (white boy from the suburbs of north
St. Louis County), myself included, have expressed racist thoughts at one time or another. If we cant talk about what actions and speech are racist
without it violating a version of Godwins law, I dont know how were ever going to make progress.
From phein39 in Illinois on Mar 6th, 2015 at 12:42pm
Thank you
From Zach in California on Mar 6th, 2015 at 4:33pm
Dee, Im not the author, but I have a suggestion for how to structure a call out procedure. I believe a call in is the best starting point, especially with
someone you know. If this person is unresponsive, dismissive, or hurtful after this then bring the issue to some mutually respected friends to hear out
both of your perspectives. Then, if that doesnt work, a call out is a viable choice. This procedure makes sense if youre dealing with a friend who
says/does something offensive or hurtful. Im not referring to scenarios of extreme abuse or if this person is dangerous
From Preston in United States on Mar 10th, 2015 at 6:26am
A few people have been commenting that Asam is suggesting we dont publicly call out people who enjoy dishing out racist, sexist, homophobic slurs
thats not what I got from this (although correct me if Im wrong). The nature of call-out culture in progressive circles often takes the shape of
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calling out someone who through complete misunderstanding, said the wrong thing or something that would normally be fine at the wrong time
often, I find, when theyre actually trying to fit in or do the right thing. Giving them a simple private nudge and saying hey, its actually not really
okay to say that stuff in this community, is often all it takes. We all say so often that as we all researched this stuff and are familiar with it, they should
have done the same not everyone has the privilege of spending thousands of hours researching
Having said that, I think its a completely different category when people outside this progressive community (or people not trying to be progressive)
make racist/ sexist jokes, etc. The public call-out, then, is not Hey, Im a better social-justice warrior than you, I cant believe you thought that was
okay, we moved on from that last year to, Hey, jokes about sex positions in which women get assaulted are not at all funny. The call-out in the
second situation is pretty brave, youre risking backlash to ensure a seriously bad comment that reinforces a terrible culture does not go unchecked. In
the former situation, youre probably aware that everyone on the site is going to back you up and give you kudos. Its not brave youve just
intimidated someone into not engaging.
From April in Melbourne, Australia on Mar 10th, 2015 at 5:56pm
This is incredibly incisive, Asam. Fantastic read.
From Mina in United States on Mar 11th, 2015 at 12:28am
Totally agree. In fact, when supervising, we have a motto praise in public and criticize in private. It helps the employees feel valued. I think we
should do the same for our peers and fellow travelers in our life journeys.
From Colorcrazy in Arlington, VA on Mar 11th, 2015 at 7:28pm
Amazing article. I really cant say anything more.
From Matthew Black in Indiana on Mar 12th, 2015 at 3:33pm
Would you be offended if a cis-woman said she wanted to kiss you? ;)
I cant tell you how grateful I am that you put a name on something Ive seen so much of online. As a lifelong supporter of the gay (can I say gay or do
I need to say GLBT or other acronym?) community, Ive seen so much of this. Sometimes I want to shake people and say, LISTEN! IM ON YOUR SIDE!
Being snapped at or criticized, especially in public where its meant to humiliate and shame the person, does not make anyone listen. Moreover, I
never feel like the person calling out the other person means to make the object learn anything. All it does is make the caller-outer look important
and powerful. Sure, people grab their pitchforks and rally to torment and add their scorn toward the person being called out, but what does that
achieve?
Once I was downtown shopping with my kids, being a middle class, privileged white lady, and I found that there was an anti-marriage-equality rally in
the main square. A small counter-protest formed, many of whom were also apparently-straight middle class white ladies. And I picked up a sign and
joined, shouting my support of gay marriage. And heckling the religious/conservative opposition.
Sadly, after what Ive seen lately, Im not sure Id still do that now. Ive seen so many accusations about housewives who are somehow not real allies
that Im not sure Id feel welcome at a queer-rights rally/parade/protest. (By the way, calling someone a housewife is in itself kind in a put-down.)
If someone like me feels like an outsider, then who is going to carry signs at the next counter-protest? Who is going to be bringing their toddlers to
pride events to teach their kids about equal rights? If you need to be perfect to be good enough, then very few allies are going to be good enough.
Anyway, thanks. Thanks for saying all this. Now I understand. Understanding is what its all about, right?
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Thanks again,
-Daisy
From Daisy Harris in Pacific Northwest on Mar 12th, 2015 at 4:07pm
This is very thoughtful, thought-provoking, and humane. Thank you.
From Deb G. in Boston, MA on Mar 12th, 2015 at 9:09pm
Interesting article, but very heavy on theory and very light on practice. Just one example of a person being called out (the circumstances, what was
said, the reaction, etc.) would give this piece a little life and greatly contribute to understanding exactly what the writer is identifying as the evil to be
rectified, and the type of correction he envisages.
From Vanya in Philadelphia on Mar 14th, 2015 at 12:43pm
This is a great read for all of us who navigate the interesting and challenging territory of social justice education>>>advocacy>>>activism.
From Dr. Cindi Love in Washington DC on Mar 16th, 2015 at 9:48am
This is symptom of the Millennials (also known as the Wuss Generation) being coddled and indulged since birth. Given trophies just for showing up,
having everything handed to them, making them into narcissistic assholes. Then add in people who exploit this stupidity and we have what we have
today a giant leap backwards. These people are the opposite of each generation since the 60s. Previous generations raged musically and artistically.
The only thing creative about these fools are their lies and hoaxes. They have set social justice back to the stone age. They love censorship and use
violence to further their goals. They invent claims of rape and PTSD and all sorts of undiagnosed trauma to cover their asses when they get exposed.
Worst. Generation. Ever.
From spiderbucket on Mar 17th, 2015 at 12:03pm
The call out as youve labelled it is done to raise awareness. How can you expect a woman is writing an article on how sexist men are, based on a poll
of her female colleagues, to understand that her own article is entirely sexist, in and of itself. If she realised it, then she wont have written it, let alone
published it on a news site. By bringing it to the public floor, one is lancing the boil, and placing ones own identity in the public floor, as opposition
and the discussion is a public one, rather than just two differences of opinion and point of view.
A silent word call in is useless in such cases. It just contributes more to the unseen hand and the backroom deals. The likely result is simply a brush
off or the utter uselessness of agree to disagree (or get blocked if you dont).
However the majority of the public arent well developed mentally. Oh many have good education having blown thousands of dollars and tens of
thousands of hours locked in the system. Yet most play herd games like two sheep battling out over who has top eating and mating rights, or who has
the greater sexual characteristics. This is been happen on the Net, pre-Web; and before then it was done in newsprint and magazines, and no doubt in
petty gossip and slander before the printed word The call out has purpose perhaps, I suggest publicly, it would be better thinking of ways to
better use and reply, than to fall back to even worse methods (such as backsniping of the call in)
From carl de malmanche on Mar 17th, 2015 at 6:04pm
I think here is wrong: Paying attention to these other contexts will mean refusing to unleash all of our very real trauma onto the psyches of those we
imagine to only represent the systems that oppress us. It should say:
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NOT Paying attention to these other contexts will mean refusing to unleash all of our very real trauma onto the psyches of those we imagine to only
represent the systems that oppress us.
Correct me . or explain me, please
From ferenc in Mx on Mar 18th, 2015 at 1:40pm
Hi Asam Thank you for your thoughtful article. I brought it up in many settings today to talk about how I as a white person could cultivate true
community with the people (of color) with whom I am working. I asked for a way to have race, power, privilege, oppression, othering, belonging, and
that sort of stuff be a frequent part of our reflection. I invited feedback. And I asked for kindness, understanding, and to be seen as a friend first and
foremost. It seems that if we are not striving for friendship, for kinship, we are just compartmentalizing one another, and unconsciously playing out
our internalized trauma and misdirected rage. So, I am grateful your article gave me some support to voice some of that today some wonderful
conversations were had as a result. Thank you.
Andrea in Seattle
From Andrea John-Smith in Seattle, WA on Mar 19th, 2015 at 2:16am
Written with beautiful clarity and so on target. Thank you, Asam.
From Aurora Dagny in Montreal on Mar 19th, 2015 at 5:30pm
I have found over many years the call-in type systems are just instrumental for cowards and backstabbers to cause trouble. Yes, the vulnerable need
to be protected.
But is there any one here that hasnt stood up for something important or to protect someone only to have the administrators/administration silence
them/block them because of a private compliant from someone unaccountable and often unknown. No way to know or defend your position and the
silent complaint is given more power than having the issue out in the light to be discussed.
Do not mix the problem of immature people with the issue of dealing openly with public issue. You will not improve bad behaviour by enabling
alternative bad behaviour.
From mist42nz on Mar 20th, 2015 at 7:09pm
Great thoughts. Too many times have I seen someone misstep, either through ignorance or accident, and then theyre deemed ideologically impure and
absolutely nothing they say can assuage the situation. God help them if they try to apologize. Theyre sport now.
From Omes in UK on Mar 21st, 2015 at 4:05pm
Oh man, you got this so perfectly right. Handing out dick punches in the comment section can be really satisfying, but it isnt a long-term strategy with
legs all youre doing is hardening and motivating your opponents. Treating each other humanely is such a great first step to overcoming the barriers
of insecurity, isolation and ignorance that create the artificial sides of the social justice turf wars. Thank you for writing so clearly and incisively on this
topic.
From Chris in United States on Mar 21st, 2015 at 8:32pm
Absolutely vital.
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I still think calling out as a tool in the Wider Progressive Toolkit still has its uses, specifically when that level of spectacle or public condemnation is
necessary to take an extremely public or well-ensconced figure to task, like a Hugo Schwyzer, but its wielded far too often against regular people who
may have made simple errors. (Or even just failures to run at pace with the vanguard.) In those cases, it would be better fixed through compassion and
instructive teaching, by people close to that person; the extent to which codified bullying has become almost a marketable trade is frightening.
I mean were not even leveling this kind of stuff at better-trained conservative engines to maybe level the playing field of political pettiness; were just
ravaging our own ranks to help aggrandize a bunch of torch mob leaders who seem to enjoy their job way too much. It gets to almost McCarthyite
levels when you get into things like social media blackballing and shutting down means of future communication; just because its done with
progressive intent doesnt make the implications any less unsettling.
From G. in New York City on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 11:31pm
Thank you for this piece Asam. As a gigantic, persistent failure in the Great Queer Panopticon of Call Out Culture (really, I couldnt stop saying, doing
and being the wrong thing), it is nice to see some analysis bubbling to the top of the cauldron.
From Alex in Toronto on Apr 2nd, 2015 at 1:38am
I am wondering what peoples thoughts are on how this piece has now been the piece to go to subject people to even more abuse.
In an organisation where I volunteered there was a lot of anti-Blackness. Calling it out, I received this piece in my inbox and several ppl privately
messaging me (non Black ppl ofcourse) that I wasnt being nice in educating them.
Have you realised the damage that is been going on with this piece? HOw abusers feel that they are entitled to abuse people because they have been
called out and that is a bad thing. That they should get the time to learn and they can do that by oppressing other ppl.
Like, how can it be that we are still , in 2015, trying to make the ppl in power more comfortable.
From Eveline on Apr 4th, 2015 at 5:32am
Very informative blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing. egkcdeekkdeeekgb
From Smithk886 in USA on Apr 4th, 2015 at 4:10pm
I can see two reasons for calling out rather than in
I) thoughtlessness ,oblivion towards the person being criticized
2) the desire to address the wrong only , not the person with whom no personal involvement is envisioned.
In the 2 . instance ,it might be a good idea to clearly state that your problem is with this one issue, and you are not condemning a person for seeing it
differently from yourself
From Christa Kumar in Canada on Apr 11th, 2015 at 6:30pm
Nice article on calling out or calling in -cultures. However, such cultures usage is based on the dynamics or the effects due to the affects among the
members and liberals or oppressing leaders etc., of the community! Cheers :) Asam
From Surya Prakash Makarla in INDIA on Apr 14th, 2015 at 2:41pm
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A Note On Call-Out Culture

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5/17/2015

A Note on Call-Out Culture

without making a spectacle of the address itself.

This article appeared in the March/April 2015 issue of Briarpatch.

From George Inotowok in United States on Mar 3rd, 2015 at 10:42pm

From Dr. Hilarius in United States on Mar 4th, 2015 at 11:29pm

This is what happened to Patricia Arquette, and it was crap.

Briarpatch is an award-winning magazine of politics and culture. Fiercely independent

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