Such a shame to see what's been happening on the site lately, but it's a bigger shame to know it isn't new. The issues being discussed this week are issues the community has complained about for years.
I'll admit it, when I first started speaking about these issues (lack of diversity, treatment of abuse allegations, etc.) I noticed how quickly SG would silence, archive, and blacklist models. I wanted to play the game and still try to benefit from the brand's image. So I shut up for a second. Decided to wait until I at least turned pink to be vocal.
But for a while I let go of that dream, focused on my own brand. I honestly never thought I would ever turn pink. And if complaints from their favorite models weren't enough for them to listen, then why would they listen to me?
I stayed because I wanted to shoot for you guys, for the people who love and support me. But even the way content is handled on this platform is very "pimpish".
Turning pink was bittersweet for me, because I had already mentally given up on SG by the time it happened. But the brand still looked good on me for the general public who didn't know any better.
But SG keeps doing things that will obviously blow up in it's own face. The way these allegations have been handled are extremely inappropriately and I can't sit and act like I don't see it.
I apologize for my phase of complicit silence. For allowing the brand to make me feel like I shouldn't have a voice. I stand with those who have been silenced. And if this post gets me archived then so be it.
I will only support brands that CELEBRATE me, not just TOLERATE me. And every one of you should do the same.