Kelly Knox

NAME: Kelly Knox
PLATFORM & USERNAME: Insta – @itskellyknox
CENSORSHIP: Shadow Ban

What reason was given for your ban?

Offensive material.

Why do you think your post(s) was censored?

“Society turns a blind eye to disability (the irony).

Our bodies are so visible, yet so invisible on these platforms + the world.

Let’s pretend these bodies, these humans..do not exist.

Our bodies are deemed as offensive because they are not normal, are weird, strange, imperfect, do not conform to beauty ideals.

Disabled people are one of the most marginalised groups in society + without the truest, equal representation- the barriers are harder to break, false stereotypes strengthened + further dehumanised.”

Were you able to appeal and what was the response?

n.a.

What effect has your experience of censorship had on you?

Knocks your confidence + affects mental health and creativity.

What’s one thing you want people to know about this topic?

“Disabled people deserve to be SEEN in this world – for who we are, not what society perceives us to be.

We are creatives, we are mothers, we are sexy, we are strong + we are bloody worthy.”

Disability is still fighting its corner hard in the industry, + platforms like Instagram should be the one place where we can represent ourselves – how we want to be seen! To challenge all the outdated perceptions and stereotypes about what it means to be disabled.

I am unseen, invisible- which is ironic because physically disabled people are so visible, yet so swept under the rug.

Would love to be part of this project + would be an honour to be considered for the shoot!

Instagram need to step up + stop hiding bodies like mine.