We are living through a moment of real peril — and profound possibility.
American democracy is being tested by rising authoritarianism, hate-fueled backlash, and systemic rollbacks of rights.
These questions are at the heart of Looking Back to Go Forward, a panel created by BC Voices and hosted by the 92nd Street Y as part of the Newark Civic Life Series. Featuring visionary activists Loretta Ross, Marlene Gerber Fried, and Ruth Reichard, this conversation explores where we are, what history teaches us about defending democracy — and what the present demands of us.
“What we’re seeing now is the active destruction of democracy.”— Loretta Ross
We’ve faced retrenchment before — after Reconstruction, during the Lavender Scare, in the backlash to civil rights — and we’ve resisted, organized, and rebuilt.
“We are not just in a moment… we are in a long game.”
— Marlene Gerber Fried
Their discussion reaches across generations and movements — reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice — urging us to be clear about our values – truth, integrity and love – and hold fast to them; to find courage in the midst of hard times; and to use our imaginations to see the way forward to create a world where all human beings remember that we are family, we are all cousins.
“It’s going to take courage, and it’s going to take patience, it’s going to take resilience — and we can look to our ancestors… for examples for all of us.” – Ruth Reichard
They remind us that the work of justice is not always fast — but it is never futile.
“They only actually have two things going for them, and that is lies and violence. And on our side we have the truth, we have history, we have evidence, and most of all, we have time.” — Loretta Ross
For everyone who is tired, angry, hopeful, uncertain — and committed to building something better, this conversation is for you. You can watch the full discussion here. It’s a blueprint for resistance. And a reminder that we are powerful when we refuse to give up on our values and each other; when we work together.
In solidarity,
The BC Voices Team:
Katherine Brewster, President
Kathy Galvin
Rhonda Nunn
Susan Shapiro Metz
Carol Santaniello Spencer
Cheryl Weiner
