Activism
Smoking marijuana to treat mental illness has the power to change lives
Don't believe the scare stories — While British politicians and the general public support legalisation of medical cannabis, too many lives, like patient Julien Jesse’s, are still being devastated by prohibition.
Written by: Alex King
Five things you need to know about culturehacking
Breaking the beast — Artists and activists are increasingly using culturehacking to challenge the powers that be, whether through jamming the Islamophobic propaganda in Homeland or satirising secrecy culture at government spy agencies. Here’s what you need to know.
Written by: Alex King
In Pictures: Behind the scenes of Pussy Riot’s new video, 'Chaika'
Anti-corruption hip hop — Pussy Riot suit up as Russia’s chief prosecutor for their new music video criticising the country’s corrupt elite. Photographer Denis Sinyakov was at the shoot, documenting the anti-Kremlin punks' latest project.
Written by: Joshua Gabert-Doyon
Has the world hit compassion fatigue for Syria’s refugees?
Empathy reserves on empty — An anti-refugee backlash seems to sweeping the globe, reflected in media coverage and government policy. Adam White asks what has happened to our collective sympathy and concern for the human rights of refugees?
Written by: Adam White
First Person: How I escaped civil war in Sierra Leone to become a CEO & Afrobeat star
Refugee Stories — Yasmin Kadi fled Sierra Leone with her family during the outbreak of the Blood Diamond Civil War. Seeking refuge in the UK, Yasmin has gone on to become a cult Afrobeat musician, musical theatre actress, and CEO of her own record label: Refugee Records. As part of our Refugee Stories series, Yasmin speaks of her experiences.
Written by: Elizabeth Sulis Gear
First Person: I fled Iran, fearing death, in search of religious freedom
Refugee Stories — Majid Golshani fled Iran following his conversion to the Bahá’í faith, which could be punishable by death. Settling in the UK, Majid's life remains in flux, legally unable to work but desperate for a sense of purpose. As part of our Refugee Stories series, Majid talks of his continued hopes for a better life.
Written by: Elizabeth Sulis Gear
My terrifying five-year journey to escape the North Korean famine
Refugee Stories — Yona Kim fled the North Korean famine in 1997, escaping a country where abuses are "without parallel in the contemporary world." As part of our Refugee Stories series, Yona talks of her incredible journey to safety in the UK, and her dream to now help those still suffering in her home country.
Written by: Elizabeth Sulis Gear
The Nobel Prize-winning academic who fled Nazi Germany as a child
Refugee Stories — January 27 marks Holocaust Memorial Day, a time to remember the atrocities of the past and ensure the same horror is never replicated. As part of our Refugee Stories series, Leslie Brent speaks of being one of the first Jews to flee Nazi Germany, coming to England as a refugee at the age of 13. He would go on to become a Nobel Prize-winning academic.
Written by: Elizabeth Sulis Gear
How anti-abortion propaganda is shaping a dangerous media narrative
But there might be hope... — The indictment of anti-abortionist activists responsible for a lengthy, ill-founded investigation into Planned Parenthood could mean a corner has been turned. But it will take a lot to completely trample the rampant propaganda machine already in action.
Written by: Adam White
In Pictures: Coming of age as a Sudanese refugee in Australia
Embracing a new life, preserving your heritage — Coming of age is hard, no matter how or where it happens. But for thousands of young people from South Sudan, growing up in Australia has been tantamount to a fresh start – an opportunity to forge new friendships, ambitions and identities.
Written by: Shannon Jensen