Calling In and
Calling Out Guide
In fostering spaces of inclusion and belonging, it is important to recognize, name,
and address when individuals or groups with marginalized identities are
experiencing harm, such as bias or discrimination. The concepts of "calling out" or
"calling in" have become popular ways of thinking about how to bring attention
to this type of harm. Knowing the difference between these concepts can help us
reflect, then act, in the ways we feel will best promote constructive change.
What Is Calling In and Calling Out?
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Calling out is bringing public attention to an individual, group, or
organization's harmful words or behavior
Calling Out
Calling in is an invitation to a one-on-one or small group
conversation to bring attention to an individual or group's
harmful words or behavior, including bias, prejudice,
microaggressions, and discrimination
Calling In
Why Would I Call Someone In or Out?
To stop the perpetuation and negative effects of harmful words
or behavior
To create a compassionate space for listening, understanding,
offering new information, and correcting assumptions
To lean into having tough conversations with people in your
sphere of influence - the individuals or groups you know
personally, and that will be open to conversation with you
Note: Calling in and calling out are not mutually exclusive strategies. Depending on the
situation, calling out could precede calling someone in for a follow-up conversation.
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How Do I Call In or Call Out?
Note: While the phrases above may be more suited for an interpersonal (calling
in) or public (calling out) setting, they can be used in either setting.
What Should I Consider When Calling In or Out?
Urgency - There is an urgent need to hit
"pause" to prevent further harm to others
or yourself, and make it clear to others
present that you are not in agreement
with what is being said or done
Influence and Safety - There is a specific
power or relationship dynamic that would
render calling in harmful, unsafe, or
ineffective for you
Openness - Previous attempts to call in
have been unsuccessful
Calling In Calling Out
Influence - You have influence with this
person through a personal (e.g. close
relationship) or professional (e.g. work
colleague) connection
Safety - A one-on-one or small group
conversation will not compromise your
safety or wellbeing
Openness - This person has
demonstrated an openness and
commitment to learning how to better
foster spaces of inclusion and belonging
"I'm curious. What was your intention
when you said that?"
“How might the impact of your words or
actions differ from your intent?”
“How might someone else see this
differently? Is it possible that someone
else might misinterpret your
words/actions?”
“Why do you think that is the case? Why
do you believe that to be true?”
“What is making you the most fearful,
nervous, uncomfortable, or worried?”
“That’s not our culture here. Those
aren’t our values.”
“I don’t find that funny. Tell me why
that’s funny to you.”
“It sounded like you said ______. Is that
what you really meant?”
“I need to push back against that. I
disagree. I don’t see it that way.”
“I need you to know how your
comment just landed on me.”
“It sounds like you’re making some
assumptions that we need to unpack
a bit.”
Calling In Calling Out
What Do I Do When Someone Calls Me In or Out?
Remember
If you are the target of the harm, make sure you are taking care of yourself
(you may not have the capacity or ability to call in or call out right now and
that’s okay)
Self-care
Try to be patient and understanding, keeping in mind that you will also
sometimes cause harm with your words or actions
Patience
Find Allies
Identify allies for support and to step in, so that the burden is not on you
If you are an ally, act as an upstander to call in or call out when you see
the harm being done, without being asked to do so
Reflect on your own identities and privilege, noting how they may
make you more or less effective, safe, and able to call in or call out (e.g. if
you have racial privilege, it may make it easier or safer for you to call out
racial harm)
Pause - take a breath. Ground yourself to
receive what they have to say.
Listen - with the intent of learning and
seeing things from their point of view
Acknowledge - take responsibility for the
impact of your words or actions
Reflect - process your thoughts and
emotions. It may help to do so with a
trusted partner who will not only have
grace for your mistake, neither defending
your actions nor condemning you.
Repair the harm done - change your
behavior going forward, inviting trusted
partners to hold you accountable to
learning and doing better
Don’t beat yourself up or go on a
shame spiral; try to be kind to yourself
Don’t make the person calling you in
or out be your emotional caretaker,
especially if they are the recipient of
the harm (that is centering yourself
and may add to their emotional labor)
Remember: You're not a bad person.
You are an ever changing and
evolving person and this is just one
step in your growth.
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3. Interrupting Bias: Calling Out vs. Calling In, Dr. Rebecca Eunmi Haslam,
Seed the Way LLC
1. Veronica Dea Santana, Assistant Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and
Belonging, Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Harvard John A.
Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
2. Corine Rosenberg, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Specialist,
Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Harvard Graduate School
of Education
References
Additional Resources
1. 6 Signs Your Call-Out Isn’t Actually About Accountability - Everyday Feminism
4. You’ve Been Called Out for a Microaggression. What Do You Do? - Harvard
Business Review
2. When Calling Out Makes Sense - Briarpatch Magazine
3. Speaking Up Without Tearing Down - Learning for Justice
