SoWhat - the first issue

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” – Toni Morrison

Dear reader,

Let me start with the obvious: this is the first issue of SoWhat, a magazine born from Whataboutisms but also, in its own right, from a different need.

By starting this magazine, I have successfully scratched an itch; I started this magazine because I wanted to read it. I’ve longed for a publication that combines many of the things I love—communications, narrative literature, humour, cartoons—and I hope this turns out to be that. The name choice is deliberate. SoWhat is the five-year-old child asking “why” about everything (or rather “so what?”). It is a communication magazine, but it will reflect the world; we will publish art, fashion, science, politics, books, and everything else under God’s green earth.

Just like Whataboutisms, this publication will publish everyone, from those with the loudest microphones to those who exist on the fringes. Everyone should have an opportunity to voice their opinions on issues they truly care about.

For this first issue, I spoke with PRWeek Deputy Editor Evie Barrett on her fairly quick journey to the position and her aspirations for herself and the industry. We also discuss her upbringing and how that influenced her route to journalism. This was immensely fun; to sit with someone, listen to them, and explore their thoughts together. There are also works by other writers I’m excited about in this issue—mostly personal essays exploring untraditional means of communication. I hope you love reading everything as much as I loved putting this together.

Thank you to Toni Adeoye for his artistic wizardry, Morayo Ibidunni for her organisation, and Greg Double for his overall creative input.