Kendrick Howard

NAME: Kendrick Howard
PLATFORM & USERNAME: Insta – @k3images_colorado
CENSORSHIP: Content Ban

What reason was given for your ban?

Sexual solicitation, nudity etc.

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

I think we have come full circle from the revolution of the 60s back to the pre-revolution of the 50s where female bodies are to be feared apparently.

Were you able to appeal and what was the response?

No, I didn’t. I guess I just keep making my images in spite of the demonization from powerful social media platforms.

What effect has your experience of censorship had on you?

Quite frankly it’s depressing. I feel as though I’m doing something wrong even though I feel a passion to make the images that I make. The platforms for photographers to show their passions seem to have been relegated to just four of five of them. I feel a bit like a pariah, like a fish out of water, a man without an era. I wish I could teleport myself back to the 70s and 80s or even 90s. Honestly, there are times I don’t even feel like shooting anymore. I’m so sorry that I’m letting my feelings out on an internet forum but for some reason, it felt like someone was out there who understands.

Imagine Rankin’s work with Heidi Klum or practically anything from Helmut Newton on Instagram was censored – it wouldn’t happen.

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

Be fearful not of what we all are, be fearful of those that want to protect us from seeing what we all are. In the end, we are all just naked and trying to hide it.