Publication declines SZA's request for Black photographer

And if there wasn’t another reason… this is why it is very important that we lift up Black Publications and build up our own spaces. SZA’s request to be shot by a Black photographer was turned down by a publication she refused to name.

“I requested a Black photographer for a cover n the mag told me no lol its 2021...and almost Juneteenth,” SZA posted on Twitter. “Respectfully, I can’t do it.” Not wanting to name the publication, SZA did go on to list a few publications who previously featured her on covers and gave Black photographers the chance to showcase their talents.

But we’ve heard this story before. We know this too well. It dates back as far as magazines have existed from the popular teen magazine refusing to feature Tia & Tamera Mowry with the success they had because they didn’t think they would sell; to Beyoncé having brought over the first Black Photographer (Tyler Mitchell) to shoot a Vogue cover. Its all smoke and mirrors. If Beyoncé wasn’t as big of a name and a need for Vogue would they have still gone with a Black Photographer? Not taking away from the achievements to have accomplished such a feature but when do we get to a point where we lift up Black publications and spaces that don’t blatantly exclude Black talent until its trendy?

This can also be attributed to the level of celebrity publications may assume someone to have — which seems they will bend to a cover stars request if they need them. At what point do go where we are accommodated. When do we go where its people who look like us and create for us? When do we have spaces created by people who look like us be the go to place where we don’t have to go into these spaces where we don’t our needs met.

It continues to go back to having to work twice as hard to obtain half in return. The fact that there seems to be little to no Black Creatives at these publications that can execute a project that would showcase Black Talent in the right light. It’s always the bringing in a Black Photographer or the Black makeup artist or the Black designer just for the purpose of the shoot instead of already being equipped with a diverse group of talent. Even this sentiment extends outside of just creative spaces. It’s the same in corporate spaces. It’s the same in professional fields with Doctors and hospitals. And the list goes on and on.

How are we in 2021, still having to hear and see these same stories? How are these publications still managing to skate by and be allowed to run spaces like these? When do we make these spaces more diverse or have a diverse space do what should be done?

Police "accidentally" fired gun instead of taser, killing Daunte Wright

Brooklyn Center chief Tim Gannon: "As I watch the video & listen to the officer's commands, it is my belief that the officer had the intention to deploy their taser but instead shot [Daunte] Wright with a single bullet. This appears to me... that this was an accidental discharge"

It was reported by Wright’s mother, police pulled him over because he had air fresheners hanging from his rearview mirror. 20-year-old Daunte Wright was fatally shot by Brooklyn Center police on Sunday (April 11) afternoon, which prompted protests at the scene. According to police, the officers then realized Wright had outstanding warrants and attempted to take him into custody. When he got back into his car, one officer shot him. Wright then drove several blocks before crashing into another car and passing away.

The Minnesota National Guard was deployed after protesters marched to the Brooklyn Center Police Department to demand justice for Wright’s death. Police have confirmed that body camera footage from the shooting exists, but it has not yet been released to the public.

Brooklyn Center is about nine miles away from Minneapolis, where Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd is currently taking place.

PHASING OUT ON THE REAL ISSUES OF BLACK LIVES MATTER

It’s been several weeks; slow progress, and fleeting attention but it looks like it’s back to business as usual. In its peak, it seemed there was some solidarity in pushing the movement of Black Lives Matter. Companies and Brands rushed to post their black squares “for the aesthetic” which to me felt just to alleviate from the backlash if they had not taken a stand. Several statements went out but it started to feel like a PR response. Now we are a month in, the media has quickly shifted its focus as if the protests stopped happening, or as if the issues had been solved, or as if the drop in rioting and looting that took focus away from the peaceful protest made it difficult to just talk about the peaceful protest.

Paint the streets with art saying ‘Black Lives Matter’ and that should do it. Name a few streets ‘Black Lives Matter’ and that should also do it. Dress in Black Culture and that should do it. Organize your company to focus on the few Black employees and that should do it. What about… put Black Music first in your streaming services or movies with Black Issues first and that should do it. Let’s skip over arresting the police officers who murdered Breonna Taylor and so many others. Lets also skip over changing anything. Instead let’s distract with this performative act, hoping they won’t notice.

What else haven’t we noticed? Donations and petitions in the name of Black Lives Matter, where have they gone? How much have they helped? How much has been used for the issues we as a community has been facing? …

Let’s not forget, there’s still a pandemic going on - well two but Covid-19 hasn’t disappeared unless there’s something we’re not being told. Suddenly it’s back to business and a rush to Phase 4. What’s the rush? Are we in a hurry for the business aspect of things? Of course, we can’t keep the economy falling so let’s ignore all the social distancing and get back to opening everything. As we move towards reopening, it seems Phase 4 is just phasing out the real issues and returning to normal. But that norm as forever changed and we cannot go back to what was before. Like Post 9/11, airport security as forever changed; as for Covid-19, the way we live has forever changed. Adding the awareness of the systemic racism that is ingrained in America; we can no longer ignore what this country has been built on and move forward, neglecting the people who have been effected the most. Are we going to let media and elected officials quietly sweep this back under the rug so we can be “great” again?

Breonna’s Law has been passed which bans “No-Knock” warrants and now sets procedures for executing all search warrants. One officer has been fired but no arrests have been made and we are going on 100+ days since the murder. With cameras and under public scrutiny, nothing has slowed down more cases of police misconduct and brutality. Protests continue for Defunding The Police, with the media misinterpreting it as removing the police forces instead of what it actually means - which is to redistribute the funds into other areas that need it.