Society | The Walrus

A man holds up a protest sign that says "Wake up we're dying."

Health

The Pandemic Is Intensifying the Opioid Crisis

September 14, 2020September 17, 2020 - by Alexandra Harvey

Public health measures meant to contain COVID-19 have caused a spike in overdose-related deaths

Photograph of children's handprints in multicoloured paint on a textured black wall.

Environment

The Kids Are Mad as Hell

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020 - by Hana Shafi

Climate change is stealing their future. But their activism gives me hope

Illustration of a Black woman with an afro and her eyes closed and her hands held palms-up around her face. In the background are hands passing money toward her.

September/October 2020 / Society

Black Communities Have Known about Mutual Aid All Along

September 1, 2020September 15, 2020 - by Vicky Mochama

In the pandemic, “caremongering” has become a new term for an old—and joyous—practice

Illustration of small cartoon people moving freely atop small green platforms––cartwheeling, dancing, and holding hands.

Health

Fat Shaming Shouldn’t Be Part of Our “New Normal”

August 25, 2020August 25, 2020 - by Erika Thorkelson

Even in a pandemic, our culture is obsessed with controlling our bodies

Environment

Lockdown Let the Earth Breathe. What Do We Do Next?

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020 - by Sarah Ratchford

COVID-19 could be a turning point in climate activism—but only if we play it right

Media / Society

Objectivity Is a Privilege Afforded to White Journalists

August 21, 2020September 14, 2020 - by Pacinthe Mattar

Under the banner of diversity, racialized people are told to bring ourselves and our perspectives. But, if we bring too much of them, we get held back

Illustration of a person sitting at a table, turning his head to watch a woman in the kitchen.

First Person / September/October 2020

My Other Mother

August 20, 2020August 26, 2020 - by William Pang

My nanny helped raise me. Now it’s time for me to get to know her children

Over-the-shoulder photo of a woman holding a smartphone to take a picture of the autumnal forest around her.

Environment / Society

Hate Social Media but Love Nature? There’s an App for That

August 19, 2020August 20, 2020 - by Emily Urquhart

Facebook and Twitter can be sinkholes of rage and despair. But virtual communities like iNaturalist might usher in the digital utopia we were promised