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.”
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.”
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”.
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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