Thread by @duckrabbitblog

Important Thread: @MagnumPhotos have a 'legally binding' code of conduct that includes discrimination based on race. 'If the complaint is upheld, the offending individual will be expelled from the agency.'

Let's talk @parrstudio

In his apology for racism Parr stated 'this spread escaped my notice'. That he was 'mortified' he inadvertently promoted it. In the BBC article he also stated 'When this was brought to my attention, I publicly apologised'

Not true. Here's why:

In May 2019 @Multistory (who have a long financial relationship with @MagnumPhotos) were exhibiting @parrstudio as part of Blast festival.

I asked them if there was 'no place for photogs who promote racism at their festival?'

They replied 'Yes, of course'.

I pointed out the racist book. @multistory agreed to 'look into it'

Then silence.

The first time Parr acknowledged the racism was December 5th. 6 months after his @Multistory exhibition. His apology was hidden in a reply and did not appear on his timeline. The book continued to be promoted EDITED BY MARTIN PARR, at least til June 2020.

Last Monday Parr's Crisis Management lawyer unequivocally stated in an email to @kiell that the 'concerns were not reported to Martin until December 2019'.

Parr's spokesperson claimed @Multistory did not speak to @parrstudio. That Parr did completely miss the racist spread for years, didn't know his assistant had sent @LTHdebate a shrugging man emoji, and was unaware of this article on @Phoblographer or the twitter mentions

Big Problem.

@Multistory's Director @emma_multistory had sent me a statement the same day:

''When you brought the book to our attention, we contacted Martin Parr to raise our concerns about the racist spread in the book'

In May 2019.

The game was up

@parrstudio version of events, as told by his lawyer, was simply not true.

Within two hours his lawyer emailed @kiell to confirm @Multistory's version of events.

Which leaves the question if a
@MagnumPhotos photog
promotes a racist book, knowingly from May 2019, what does that make them?

And why has Magnum's President
@oliviaarthur
not announced an investigation according to their legally binding code of conduct?