Scalawag (magazine)

Scalawag is a non-profit magazine and multimedia organization based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on Southern politics, culture, and identity. It publishes long-form journalism, essays, interviews, and artwork exploring themes of race, class, gender, sexuality, and power in the American South.

Scalawag aims to provide a platform for marginalized voices and perspectives, challenge dominant narratives about the South, and foster dialogue and action around social justice issues. Its work often focuses on histories of resistance, ongoing struggles for equality, and visions for a more just and equitable future in the region.

The magazine is supported by donations and grants and collaborates with other organizations and individuals working on similar issues. Scalawag publishes online and in print, and also produces podcasts, events, and educational resources. Its editorial approach emphasizes rigorous reporting, thoughtful analysis, and creative storytelling.

The name Scalawag itself is a reference to the derogatory term used to describe white Southerners who supported Reconstruction after the American Civil War. The magazine reclaims the word as a symbol of dissent, resistance, and the ongoing fight for a more democratic and just South.