Ugandan activist accuses media of racism after being cropped out of photo
Ms Vanessa Nakate (L) with other climate change activists; Ms Greta Thunberg, Ms Luisa Neubauer, Ms Loukina Tille and Ms Isabelle Axelsson. She was cropped out of the photo that was distributed by AP.
A Ugandan female climate activist has accused the Associated Press (AP) of racism after she was cropped out an activists’ photo in Davos, Switzerland.
The photo, where Ms Vanessa Nakate stood with other climate activists; Ms Greta Thunberg, Ms Luisa Neubauer, Ms Loukina Tille and Ms Isabelle Axelsson, was distributed when she was cropped out.
The activists were attending the annual World Economic Forum.
In a video that has gone viral, the sobbing Ms Nakate explains how the experience was the “hardest thing.”
The Friday video has now been watched by more than 180,000 viewers.
On Twitter, she wrote: “You didn't just erase a photo. You erased a continent. But I am stronger than ever.”
She added: “Hurt that it happened to me! I have spoken against it because it is wrong! But at least now I know that it won't happen to any other African climate activist! Now is the time to listen to the African voices!”
The story of the photo has been picked by many prominent news organisations, including the BBC, the Guardian and Buzzfeed News.
The story became subject of debate online throughout the night bringing to the fore the subject of racism.
On various Online platforms, Ms Nakate received support from numerous people including the activists who were retained in the AP photo.
Later, the AP replaced the cropped photo with the original one and said there was no “ill intent” in cropping out Ms Nakate. The AP said the editing was done on composition grounds.
Ms Nakate has been carrying out solo climate protests in Uganda usually carrying posters calling for action on climate crisis.
The picture that was initially distributed by AP excluded Ms Nakate. It shows; (L-R_ Ms Luisa Neubauer, ms Greta Thunberg, Ms Isabelle Axelsson, and Ms Loukina Tille.
