Facing prolonged isolation, financial uncertainty, and difficult (but much-needed) discussions around racism, the average American is grappling with a lot more than normal in 2020. Canvas8 spoke to eight people about how challenging times are shaping their communications with friends and family.

In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement being reignited by the death of George Floyd, brands are taking to social media to express solidarity and support. But as people expect increased transparency and accountability from companies, they are being asked to ‘pull up or shut up’.

Two leading recipe magazines are reviewing their content for cultural appropriation in response to criticism of 'ethnic erasure'. While the move is welcomed by some, others are pointing out that diversity among staff and contributors remains an issue.

Being publicly shamed for bad behavior – also known as being ‘called out’ – is a concern for well-known figures and anonymous high school students alike. But as call-out culture is implicated in an increasingly polarized society, people are seeking a more tactical approach to conflicting viewpoints.