Instagram Has Censored A Black Model: #Iwanttoseenyome

Over the weekend, Instagram has once again been accused of being racist, fatphobic and discriminatory against Black people.

Nyome Nicholas-Williams, a 28-year-old UK based Black plus-size model, had a post censored by Instagram late last week. With her arms covering her bare body on a stool, Nicholas-Williams was photographed by Alex Cameron. Claiming to feature “nudity or sexual activity”, Instagram claimed it went against their community guidelines. Immediately, hundreds flocked to support Nicholas-Williams by using #iwanttoseenyome.

Nicholas-William shared her anger in a subsequent Instagram post.

“It took me a long time to be comfortable and confident in my frame. I will not be policed my body will not be censored as there is not a single thing wrong with it.”

View this post on Instagram

It took me a long time to be comfortable and confident in my frame. I will not be policed my body will not be censored as there is not a single thing wrong with it. Okay great Instagram has put @alex_cameron and I’s picture back up as they knew they made a mistake but I am getting so many messages from my followers letting me know that they still cannot post up the images in support with the hashtag #iwanttoseenyome I very much believe that an apology has to be as loud as the disrespect. It’s all well and good putting my image back up but why do you continually take them down from everyone else’s stories and grid when support wants to be given so that CHANGE can be implemented? I spoke with Instagram earlier and I was apologised to about my images being wrongly taken down, but it’s not loud enough and I am still not seeing change. I won’t stop speaking about this, a change has to be actively made or my mouth will keep running…tbh when changes are made my mouth will continue to run as there is always work to do and things can always be better.

A post shared by Nyome Nicholas – Williams (@curvynyome) on Aug 7, 2020 at 12:17pm PDT

Speaking with The Guardian, Nicholas-William added:

“Millions of pictures of very naked, skinny white women can be found on Instagram every day. But a fat black woman celebrating her body is banned? It was shocking to me. I feel like I’m being silenced.”

Cameron, 34, also expressed support for Nicholas-Williams. Cameron has worked as a photographer for over a decade. With thousands of photos linked to her account, Cameron was furious with Instagram. She called the platform out for the disconnect between its statements over Black Lives Matter and removing Black content creator posts.

“I have posted photos of many more women – white women – who had [fewer] clothes on than Nyome that never got reported or deleted.”

View this post on Instagram

I’ve never captured a photo where you can literally feel the energy through the photo…until now. Thank you @curvynyome for, simply, being you and letting me capture that. You just got everything I wanted to capture, you ARE everything I want to capture. I suggest you follow Nyome and also implore you show your support, she has uploaded a number of images from our shoot and some arsehole keeps reporting them and subsequently Instagram keeps removing them. This image is real and bold and beautiful and art and fuck anyone who sees differently. #iwanttoseenyome

A post shared by Alexandra Cameron (@alex_cameron) on Jul 30, 2020 at 11:58am PDT

Earlier in June, Instagram’s CEO Adam Mosseri spoke about the platform. He acknowledged the need for Instagram to look at “algorithmic bias” and whether “we suppress black voices”.

View this post on Instagram

We stand in solidarity with the Black community. But that’s not enough. Words are not enough. That’s why we’re committed to looking at the ways our policies, tools, and processes impact Black people and other underrepresented groups on Instagram. Addressing the feedback we get has always been an integral part of how we work, and has helped us build a better Instagram for everyone. We’re going to focus on four areas: * Harassment * Account verification * Content distribution * Algorithmic bias It’s not enough to simply celebrate or amplify Black voices on Instagram. We need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect them as well, and doing so requires we address the specific ways they’re impacted. Our focus will start with Black community, but we’re also going to look at how we can better serve other underrepresented groups. Instagram should be a place where everyone feels safe, supported, and free to express themselves, and I’m hoping this will get us closer to that. Link in bio for more.

A post shared by Adam Mosseri ? (@mosseri) on Jun 15, 2020 at 11:12am PDT

Launching a month later, Instagram’s #ShareBlackStories campaign aimed to promote black voices.

In fact, Nicholas-Williams has long been vocal about the injustice and inequality towards the Black community. In a recent letter on Harper Bazaar, the influencer highlighted the performative act of #BlackOutTuesday on social media. Additionally, she recalled a personal experience of being taken advantage of by a white illustrator. Without Nicholas-Williams’ permission, the artist made profits from her likeness. Many other Black women have also shared stories about the same artist.

To see more of Nicholas-Williams, follow her on Instagram here. And to see more of Cameron’s work, follow her official Instagram here.

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