A reporter covering the protests in Portland reflects on fear and trauma, police violence, and her voice as a journalist.
Cheri Lucas Rowlands
Cheri has been an editor at Longreads since 2014.
Posted inHighlight, Nonfiction, Quote Posts, Quotes
‘Their Bodies Are Not Considered Their Own’: White Privilege in the Emergency Room
It’s against the law to examine someone without their consent — but one ER doctor’s colleagues do it anyway.
Posted inEditor's Pick
I Know How to Cover a Portland Protest. So Why Am I Shaking?
Journalist Karina Brown, who’s covering the protests in Portland, writes a personal essay on trauma, sexual assault, and police violence.
Posted inCurrent Events, Highlight, Nonfiction, Quote Posts, Quotes
‘Who’s Going to Take Care of Me?’: When the Coronavirus Takes Both Parents
In the wake of their parents’ deaths, three siblings struggle to get through the day-to-day.
Posted inEditor's Pick
The Police Tried to Make Me Medically Examine a Man Against His Will
On racism in medicine, body autonomy, and one Black doctor’s experience in the ER.
Posted inEditor's Pick
They Depended on Their Parents for Everything. Then the Virus Took Both.
Nash, Nadeen, and Nanssy Ismael struggle with the loss of their parents — while learning to pay bills, take care of themselves, and be a family.
Posted inEditor's Pick
Covid Conversations With One of America’s Richest Men
When the pandemic hit, Max Abelson called the richest person he knew. In a series of conversations with this anonymous billionaire, we see life through the eyes of the privileged and wealthy.
Posted inEditor's Pick
‘I Couldn’t Do Anything’: The Virus and an E.R. Doctor’s Suicide
“I couldn’t help anyone. I couldn’t do anything. I just wanted to help people, and I couldn’t do anything.” Dr. Lorna Breen was “a consummate overachiever, one who directed her life with assurance.” Then the pandemic hit.
Posted inEditor's Pick
Honky-Tonk Tokyo
Country music became popular in Japan after World War II. Today, Tokyo has a vibrant underground country music scene.
Posted inEssays & Criticism, Highlight, Nonfiction, Quote Posts, Quotes
‘You Could Literally See Our Shit From Space’: The Broken Bowels of Beirut
Beirut’s disintegrating sewage system and corrupt politics have put its residents in a shitty situation.