Less Than Human Debate

Opening up debate around Black and POC in Photography.

[Less Than Human Debate @LTHdebate]

Utterly horrified and appalled to see this double page layout in a book about London, edited by #MartinParr. It’s time to confront such vile #racism within #BritishPhotography. Get involved with the #LessThanHumanDebate. #photography #photojournalism #photoethics

[duckrabbit @duckrabbitblog]

The Epstein crop.

All too popular in certain photographic circles ...

[Julia @nejafeja]

@MagnumPhotos Please enlighten me, how is this image ok and what does it have to do with The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People? @NAACP

[Paul Halliday @PaulTHalliday]

Yes, I’ve read Butturini’s essay, and it is extremely disturbing. I’m also aware that left-wing artists can be deeply reactionary and at times openly racist; I’ve worked in art schools. Ginsberg promoted pedophilia.

@duckrabbitblog @LTHdebate @chiragwakaskar #PhotoEthics

[Tom Seymour @TomSeymour]

Martin Parr no platformed. Gian Butturini cancelled. What do this week’s events say about how we handle historical photos, and how we regard elites? My report: https://t.co/eL2W41QkqQ My thanks to @johnedwinmason @jennieric Brad of @americansuburbx and Damion Berger for quotes.

[duckrabbit @duckrabbitblog]

This is what structural racism in photography looks like. The facts are not disputed. Parr has apologized. And yet this.

What a shitshow.

[duckrabbit @duckrabbitblog]

Hey @Multistory. In May 2019 you agreed there was no place for photogs who perpetuate racism at your festival. You were unequivocal in your response.

[duckrabbit @duckrabbitblog]

A further extraordinary exchange between @parrstudio and @LTHdebate.

Please note the word 'racism' is missing from his public apology. He calls the images 'offensive and demeaning'. Here, privately, to a Black woman, they are a 'racist juxtaposition'.

[Less Than Human Debate @LTHdebate]

Update: I’m glad Martin Parr is taking the necessary steps recommended. However, we must continue to hold people in positions of power accountable for their roles in perpetuating racism and misogyny.

[Shaun 🇯🇲🇧🇧🇬🇧 @shotbyshaun]

Imagine a #photography festival that provided a platform for, + championed, overlooked + under-represented black photographers. What would it look like?

[Paul Halliday @PaulTHalliday]

@allen3m @duckrabbitblog It was extraordinary to see. @LTHdebate just kept up with the campaigning and she had some great support from @duckrabbitblog @chiragwakaskar and others who understood just how awful the book was.

[duckrabbit @duckrabbitblog]

'The question remains why is it down to a black teenager to confront one of the UK’s leading photographers and curators?”'

[duckrabbit @duckrabbitblog]

Talking to The Art Newspaper, Baptiste Halliday says Parr is “the Charleston statue of photography”.

“He represents a generation of white, middle-aged men who do what they want without any consequences. He is the institution, and we are only beginning to dismantle it.”

[duckrabbit @duckrabbitblog]

Maybe it's time to ask the people who have been traditionally excluded from decision making at photo festivals and the photogs who have experienced racism, what a BlackLivesMatter reflecting photo festival should look like?

[Guardian news @guardiannews]

Martin Parr quits as director of Bristol Photo Festival over racism row https://t.co/8okTMYDjOf

[Less Than Human Debate @LTHdebate]

Big thank you to @TomSeymour for interviewing me, it’s nice to have my voice and opinions finally heard 🙏🏽

[Less Than Human Debate @LTHdebate]

Read to find out @BRSphotofest has removed @parrstudio as festival creative director as a result of our campaigning.

[The Art Newspaper @TheArtNewspaper]

The photographer Martin Parr has publicly apologised after lending his name to “offensive and demeaning" photography book https://t.co/S5eB7aIxcn

[Less Than Human Debate @LTHdebate]

@duckrabbitblog @thesailorsgirl @BRSphotofest @LuaRibeira I’d say this defo isn’t subjective. The lynching imagery is so explicit it’s shameful.

[Paul Halliday @PaulTHalliday]

The issue of Parr editing an overtly racist book, platforming child abuse, along with the abuse of sex workers, has been publicly challenged for over a year. It is a disgrace than an employee of Autograph supports this award.

#BlackPhotographers
#PhotoEthics @LTHdebate

[duckrabbit @duckrabbitblog]

You can have Martin Parr as Artistic Director. You can have an inclusive photo festival. You just can't have both.

A welcome decision.

[Less Than Human Debate @LTHdebate]

@Kellyobrien195 🙏🏽