racism | The Walrus

An illustration of a Chinese-Canadian family: A mother, a father, and two kids stand around their seated grandparents. A Chinese-style building partition is in the foreground with symbols of Chinese-Canadian history on it, including an old family portrait and an immigration certificate. In the back is a window facing the Vancouver skyline.

Searching for the sense of identity I had lost during the pandemic, I needed my family to see where our Canadian story began

A mishmash of limbs performing martial arts on a red background. Three Asian men at the front push a boulder, referencing the struggle of Sisyphus.

January/February 2023 / Memoir

What My Father’s Martial Arts Classes Taught Me about Fighting Racism

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 - by Adrian De Leon

The goal of martial arts is self-defence. But what happens when the violence is as atmospheric as racism itself?

November 2022 / Society

Comment la commission des droits de la personne du Québec a chassé sa première présidente noire

October 25, 2022May 29, 2023 - by Martin Patriquin

Lorsqu’elle a été nommée à la tête de la commission, Tamara Thermitus s’attendait à lutter contre le racisme dans sa province. Au lieu de cela, elle a dû s’en occuper sur son lieu de travail.

Photo of Tamara Thermitus standing beside a stone wall.

November 2022 / Society

How Quebec’s Human Rights Commission Drove Out Its First Black Female President

October 25, 2022October 26, 2022 - by Martin Patriquin

When she was appointed to run the commission, Tamara Thermitus expected to fight racism in her province. Instead, she had to deal with it in her workplace