TORONTO – The editor-in-chief of The Walrus has stepped down, amid a contentious conversation about cultural appropriation in Canadian media and literature.
A representative from The Walrus says Jonathan Kay resigned on Saturday evening.
On Friday, Kay wrote an opinion piece in the National Post defending the right to debate cultural appropriation, when somebody takes an image or experience from a marginalized culture without permission, and claims it as their own.
READ MORE: B.C. school panned for having white people in headdresses tell indigenous stories
His piece was in response to backlash faced by Hal Niedzviecki, who resigned as editor of Write magazine and apologized for his article in the Writers’ Union of Canada publication, after drawing ire for appearing to endorse the unauthorized use of indigenous knowledge and traditions.
After Niedzviecki resigned, a number of prominent figures in Canadian media pledged money to an appropriation prize.
Several of those figures later apologized.
READ MORE: What South Asians think of Asos calling a tikka a ‘chandelier head clip’
Kay wrote in his column that he believes in open debate about issues like cultural appropriation.
But about Niedzviecki’s resignation, he wrote, “the careers of editors-in-chief are brief and unpredictable,” and he said he suspected he would eventually go the same way.
READ MORE: Caught on camera: Dreadlocked-white student confronted for ‘cultural appropriation’
“Perhaps all the sooner, thanks to this column,” he wrote.
Kay did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but posted on his publicly-visible personal Facebook account that he appreciates the support he’s received, and encouraged everyone to continue supporting The Walrus.