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Greenland is the largest island in the world. Yet, despite its prominent presence on the world map, most people know very little about its culture and the people who call this remote place home. This inspired a Greenlandic woman named Qupanuk to share and teach the world about life in Greenland through a series of insightful videos. Her channel, Q's Greenland, is a one-stop-shop to know everything about the country, from its traditional food to its unique language.

While many associate Greenland with remoteness and frigid temperatures, Qupanuk—or Q, as she is known—always takes the time to note that “life is amazing” there in her videos. On top of posting every day about what makes Greenland such a unique place, she is the country's first and only mining engineer and mother of four. Originally from Qaqortoq, in Southern Greenland, she currently lives Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland, which has a population of under 20,000.

Her channel's name, Q's Greenland, is a reference to the fact that we're only seeing Greenland through her eyes. Even so, Q's deep understanding of the country and her charming personality make her the perfect teacher of this lesser-known place. She addresses all kinds of topics through her content, ranging from how hot summers get, to how much it costs to go grocery shopping there.

Although Greenland appears very remote, Q also highlights the ways it is connected to the rest of the world.  For example, she addresses what it means for her to hold Danish citizenship–as Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Additionally, she explains what it is like to have a front-row seat to the effects of climate change, as global warming has made the weather of Greenland much more unpredictable.

Whether it is a tour around Nuuk's tallest buildings—which are only 12 stories tall!— or a quick Greenlandic lesson, Q has painted a compelling picture of the most fascinating aspects of her home, becoming almost like an ambassador of the country to the rest of the world. To stay up to date with her videos and learn even more about this interesting country, follow Q's Greenland on Instagram and TikTok.

This is Qupanuk, a woman who teaches the world about life in Greenland through a series of short, insightful videos.

 

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Her channel, Q's Greenland, is a one-stop-shop to know everything about Greenland, from its traditional food to its unique language.

Photo: mady70/Depositphotos

Q addresses all kinds of topics, like how hot summers get in the country, how much it costs to go grocery shopping there, and how the Greenlandic flag came to be.

 

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A post shared by Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

Her channel's name, Q's Greenland, is a reference to the fact that we're only seeing Greenland through her eyes.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

However, her deep understanding of the country and her charming personality make her the perfect teacher of this lesser-known place.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

On top of posting every day about what makes Greenland such a unique place, she is Greenland's first and only mining engineer and mother of four.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

While many associate Greenland with remoteness and frigid temperatures, Q always takes the time to note that “life is amazing” there in her videos.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

Q paints a fascinating picture of her home, becoming almost like an ambassador of Greenland to the rest of the world.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

Q's Greenland: Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
h/t: [Reddit]

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Stunning Photos Give Unique Perspective of Greenland’s Icebergs Underwater

READ: Greenlandic YouTuber Teaches the World About Greenland’s Culture and People in Insightful Series of Videos

 

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In the 2022 to 2023 school year, 3,362 individual book bans went into effect across 1,557 unique titles. This is an increase over last year's totals, and Florida is leading the book-banning charge. The banned titles include a children's book about Anne Hutchinson, one of the first Rhode Islanders and a female preacher put on trial by puritans, Beloved by Toni Morrison, and The Family Book by Todd Parr. While some bans might seem senseless, others evince a barely disguised desire to target books affirming LGBTQ identities or addressing racism and racist history. Now, the pop star Pink (aka P!nk) is putting her megawatt star power to work to fight such censorship and stand up for the voices behind these books. Pink announced, in collaboration with PEN America, that she would donate 2,000 banned books at her Florida concerts.

Pink played in Miami and Sunrise Florida this past week. Her team planned to distribute titles such as Amanda Gorman‘s The Hill We Climb and Girls Who Code by Reshma Saujani, among other titles. Pink proudly calls herself a longtime reader, denouncing the book bans in an Instagram video: “It's confusing, it's infuriating, it is censorship.” Pink acknowledged to PEN America that being a parent to her two children influences her perspective on the importance of “representation for all races and sexual identities.”

“Books have held a special joy for me from the time I was a child, and that’s why I am unwilling to stand by and watch while books are banned by schools,” Pink said in a statement. “It’s especially hateful to see authorities take aim at books about race and racism and against LGBTQ authors and those of color. We have made so many strides toward equality in this country and no one should want to see this progress reversed. This is why I am supporting PEN America in its work and why I agree with them: no more banned books.” Beyond gifting literature, Pink remains committed to the fight against book bans. To learn how you can help too, visit https://pen.org/pink-against-book-bans.

 

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h/t: [NPR]

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READ: Pink Gives Out 2,000 Banned Books at Concerts in Florida

Photo: huettenhoelscher/Depositphotos (Not a photo of the actual ambulance.)

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, countries around the world have stepped up to supply Ukraine with aid and arms to fight the war. But equally important are the contributions that individuals have made, whether it be personally running supplies across the border or fundraising. For 82-year-old Reinhard Kleine, a retired German doctor, it was imperative to help, no matter what the cost.

So Kleine, whose uncle was the famed World War I fighter pilot known as the Red Baron, used his entire life savings to give his support to Ukrainians. For €25,000 (about $26,000), Kleine purchased an ambulance. He then refurbished and stocked the vehicle before personally driving it from Berlin to Kyiv. The nearly 950-mile trip took about one day, and Kleine was assisted by several volunteers, who pitched in on driving duty.

“I know that Ukraine really needs support now,” he shared. “So I don't feel sorry for this money, even though I spent everything I had.”

This isn't Kleine's first experience in Ukraine. After the 1986 Chernobyl explosion, he came over to lend his medical expertise and help children affected by the tragic event. When Putin's forces invaded in February 2022, Kleine knew that he had to help once again.

“At home in Germany, I sheltered women from Ukraine. There was even a pregnant woman among them,” Kleine recalled. “It's terrible when people are forced to leave their homes to escape the war.”

Kleine was motivated to buy the ambulance because he knew what a valuable tool it would be for the troops. Proper medical care in the field is imperative, and the ambulance will give medics on the front lines a safe space to work on the wounded.

Now that the ambulance has been delivered to  Kyiv, it will be repainted before heading out into the field. As for Kleine, he's headed back to Berlin but is already thinking about how he can help further and raise the funds to do so.

An 82-year-old retired German doctor spent this live savings to buy and deliver an ambulance to Ukraine.

82-year-old German Reinhard Kleine spent all his savings, €25,000, on an ambulance for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He drove the vehicle from Berlin to Kyiv himself. Now it will save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in the Bakhmut direction.
byu/PjeterPannos inukraine

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READ: 82-Year-Old Retired Doctor Uses Life Savings To Buy Ambulance for Ukraine

Photo: Kirsty Mitchell (top)

My Modern Met was founded in 2008 with the idea of being one big city that celebrates creativity. During that time, we’ve proudly championed artists, photographers, designers, and makers—from emerging creatives to those well established in their careers.

Our platform is a place for creatives' work to shine and where people across the globe can appreciate their voices and visions. In addition to artists, we have expanded our content over the years by sharing inspiring stories of humanity and the incredible things found on Earth. By doing this, we’ve seen that imaginative thinking and human ingenuity are helping change the world for the better. There’s a lot to be thankful for and we are committed to sharing it.

Here’s where you come in. You can help play a pivotal role in ensuring that My Modern Met can continue our mission of spreading creativity and positivity online. Become a member of My Modern Met and support independent publishing as well as our commitment to bringing you fresh art and culture content every day.

We have a small team with limited resources, and our membership program will go a long way in helping to fund the site and mitigate rising costs—all while allowing us to pursue new projects that we’re really excited about. We’re ambitious and always looking to the future, so we have a lot of new endeavors in mind. We've recently launched one; you might've heard a few episodes of our Top Artist podcast, where we chat with the best creatives to find out what makes them tick.

Projects like the podcast are just the beginning. We’re planning to create even more rich content that is accessible for all—think free creative resources and online classes that will help you learn new skills.

Memberships start as low as $10/month with student and educator discounts available. So, will you join us today?

My Modern Met Membership comes with its perks. Here’s what you’ll get when you join:

• An ad-free reading experience
• Exclusive members-only monthly newsletter
• 15% discount towards My Modern Met Store purchases
• 15% discount towards My Modern Met Academy courses
• Exclusive e-book: Guide to Over 100 Art, Design, and Photography Resources
• My Modern Met Foundation will donate at least 1% of Membership fees to the artist community

Over the years, we've had the pleasure of working with talented artists and photographers. Here's what they have to say about My Modern Met.

Zaria Forman

“My Modern Met featured my work before I had as much recognition as I do now. I remember it well, because I was traveling in the Maldives at the time, working on a new series of drawings to represent the lowest lying island nation in the world.

“I noticed I was receiving an unusual amount of friend requests on Facebook, and messages poured into my inbox from around the world!

“When I traced it back to My Modern Met, I reached out to thank them. They have been very kind and helpful ever since, always happy and eager to share new work and promote my exhibits, and I remain extremely grateful for them!”

Kirsty Mitchell

“My Modern Met was one of the first people to notice my work when I began my series Wonderland back in 2009. Over the years as the project progressed, they continued to publish articles about the photographs as they became more and more popular.

“Finally in 2015, once the series was complete and the first edition of the book had sold out, MMM shared the film we had made about its creation.

“Nothing could have prepared me for the reaction it incurred. I was suddenly overwhelmed with thousands of requests for the book from all over the world as their post went viral and was viewed over 5 million times.

“As a result, we were given the confidence to publish a second edition of the book to satisfy the enormous waiting list we had accumulated, the response was truly staggering. I remain eternally grateful to My Modern Met for their support and belief in what I do, they have without a doubt helped my career and also become valued friends.”

Omar Z. Robles

“I am extremely grateful to Modern Met for the support they have shown towards my work.

“I am always moved by how they help tell our stories, expanding it to a broader audience. Instead of simply reposting a write up on my blog, they find a way to make it personal and relevant to their own readership. Almost every time I am surprised by the little gems they find, which in turn helps me rediscover my own artwork.

“As an artist, it is invaluable to have support from a platform that understands and curates content as skillfully and respectfully as My Modern Met does.”

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READ: Support Creativity When You Become a Member of My Modern Met

 

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The work of author and poet Amanda Gorman is getting a boost in sales after a Florida book ban. Following a ban of her poem The Hill We Climb, sales for it and her books Call Us What We Carry and Change Sings have skyrocketed. It’s a show of support for the 25-year-old, who said she was “gutted” after hearing that her inaugural poem—recited during President Biden’s 2021 swearing-in  ceremony—was placed on restricted access at a K-8 school in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

The incident has denied otherwise easy access to The Hill We Climb. It's following a complaint from one parent who said that the poem, along with three other books (not by Gorman), were “inappropriate for students” and should be removed. The formal written protest, in which the parent confuses Gorman with Oprah, noted that The Hill We Climb “is not educational and have [sic] indirectly hate messages.”

The titles, despite being written for elementary-aged students, are now only available in the middle school section of the library. Younger students would have to make a special request to see the items.

Gorman shared her response on social media. “I wrote The Hill We Climb so that all young people could see themselves in a historical moment. Ever since, I’ve received countless letters and videos from children inspired by The Hill We Climb to write their own poems.”

The school district maintains that the texts are technically still available, just transferred to another section of the library. Gorman replied to that line of thinking. “A school book ban is any action taken against a book that leaves access to a book restricted or diminished,” she tweeted. “This decision of moving my book from its original place, taken after one parent complained, diminishes the access elementary schoolers would have previously had to my poem.”

Gorman’s poems and book are available on Bookshop.org.

Poet Amanda Gorman's prose The Hill We Climb was banned from elementary-aged children following a complaint from one parent who said that the poem was “inappropriate for students” and should be removed.

 

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The school district maintains that the texts are technically still available, just transferred to another section of the library. Gorman replied to that line of thinking.

A school book ban is any action taken against a book that leaves access to a book restricted or diminished. This decision of moving my book from its original place, taken after one parent complained, diminishes the access elementary schoolers would have previously had to my poem.… https://t.co/hIsCYLNlGq

— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) May 24, 2023

Amanda Gorman: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
h/t: [Yahoo News]

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

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READ: Amanda Gorman’s Book Sales Skyrocket Following a Ban on Her Poem in a Florida School

Photo: vitaliivitleo/Depositphotos

Vinícius Júnior is a 22-year-old Brazillian soccer player who has been the subject of racist abuse while on the field. On Sunday, May 21, 2023, his team Real Madrid played a game against Valencia CF and Vinícius endured persistent racist taunting. Valencia fans called Vinícius “mono” (Spanish for monkey) when he arrived at the stadium and throughout the game.

This is unacceptable and abhorrent behavior, and Vinícius stood up for himself as it was taking place. During stoppage time in the second half, Vinícius pointed out the portion of the crowd abusing him. An announcement was made over the stadium loudspeakers telling fans not to insult players or to throw things onto the field.

The referees made a note of the incident. “Racist insults: in the 73rd minute, a spectator from the southern ‘Mario Kempes’ tribune directed himself towards player No. 20 of Real Madrid CF Mr. Vinicius José De Oliveira Do Nascimiento, screaming at him: ‘Monkey, monkey’ which led to the activation of the racism protocol, notifying the pitch delegate so that a corresponding warning over the loudspeaker would be made. The match was halted until said announcement was aired over the loudspeaker of the stadium,” the official report read.

Other racist abuse happened throughout the game. Near the end of the match, Vinícius was sent off the field for his first-ever red card. This led to more “monkey” chants from the stands.

The Spanish national police identified the person allegedly involved in the event but no arrests have been made. Spanish authorities have also opened an investigation into a potential hate crime.

Sadly, this is not the first time Vinícius has been harassed. He has been the subject of nine reports of racist incidents in the last two seasons.

“It wasn't the first time, nor the second, nor the third,” Vinícius wrote in an Instagram post. “Racism is normal in La Liga [the league he plays in]. The competition thinks it's normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I'm so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi, today belongs to racists.

“A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. I'm sorry for the Spaniards who don't agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defense. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.”

A majority of the international soccer community offered its support to Vinícius, unlike LaLiga president Javier Tebas Medrano. He was on the defensive. “Before criticizing and insulting LaLiga, it is necessary that you inform yourself properly,” he replied to Vinícius. “Neither Spain nor LaLiga are racist, it is very unfair to say this,” Medrano said in another tweet.

Vinícius is a soccer superstar and has indicated that he could leave the team if things don’t change.

On May 21, 2023, soccer star Vinícius Júnior endured racist abuse while his team Real Madrid played a game against Valencia CF. After the game, Vinícius created an Instagram post calling it out.

 

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A post shared by Vinicius Jr. ⚡️🇧🇷 (@vinijr)

While a majority of the international soccer community offered its support to Vinícius, LaLiga (the league he plays in) president Javier Tebas Medrano was on the defensive.

Ya que los que deberían no te explican qué es y qué puede hacer @LaLiga en los casos de racismo, hemos intentado explicártelo nosotros, pero no te has presentado a ninguna de las dos fechas acordadas que tú mismo solicitaste. Antes de criticar e injuriar a @LaLiga, es necesario… https://t.co/pLCIx1b6hS pic.twitter.com/eHvdd3vJcb

— Javier Tebas Medrano (@Tebasjavier) May 21, 2023

1. Neither Spain nor @LaLiga is racist, it is unfair to say this.

2. At @LaLiga we report and go after racism in the strongest possible way within our remit.

3. We have reported nine instances of racist insults this season (eight have been against @vinijr). We always identify… https://t.co/KFXHOJv6cb

— Javier Tebas Medrano (@Tebasjavier) May 22, 2023

h/t: [CNN]

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READ: Brazilian Soccer Star Speaks Out Over Racism He Experienced During Spanish Gameplay

Catrin was returning from a ski trip in the French Alps, when the coach’s brakes failed and the crash happened. 96% of her body suffered third degree burns leaving her with a 1 in a 1000 chance for survival. Following three months in coma, 200 surgical procedures and 4 years of rehab, Catrin defied destiny.
To the prying eyes that meet her every time she steps out of the house, she looks back at them with tenderness and empathy.
‘If my scars make you feel better about yours then I am happy for you. I understand you. And that’s what I expect from you as well. Empathy, not sympathy. My scars make me special… unique… differently beautiful. They are life’s brush strokes… and I am in love with this painting.

Photography can be an empowering tool used to tell stories of those whose voices might struggle to be heard. An image can communicate a lot without words, as is the case with Sujata Setia’s project called Changing the Conversation. The series features people with physical differences as a way to honor their resilience in the face of obstacles.

The intimate portraits were inspired by a simple question from Setia’s child. “My 8-year-old daughter returned from school one day and asked me if she was beautiful,” she tells My Modern Met. “As a girl, who grew up in a patriarchal society back in a small town in India, I have battled all my life with the constructs of beautiful or ugly, boy or girl, normal or abnormal, rich or poor, pink or blue.

“For me, this world has always been divided into binaries, and I noticed my daughter started to develop a similar worldview. And so, I started this series as an effort to work toward the expansion of humanity. A world without exceptions. A world that moves away from binaries. It is an ongoing series.”

Setia, who works under the name But Natural Photography, specializes in newborn, pregnancy, and family portraits. She sees a lot of families, and that’s where Changing the Conversation began. “My first photoshoot was with Amber, a mum who gave birth to a 13-pound baby and was left with what I call ‘medals of honor’ on her body.” But the project shifted when she met Cartrin, a 96% burn survivor. “I realized that there was a lot more that needs to be spoken about. I thought I would build awareness around scars, visible and invisible both. That one conversation with Catrin, changed the course of this project entirely.”

Unfortunate things can happen to us, but they aren’t all of what makes us who we are. And in these dark situations, light can still find its way in. “I want these images to show that nothing is either this or that,” Setia explains. “That the world isn’t just good or bad. Pretty or ugly. Man or woman. The world exists beyond these binaries.”

Scroll down to see the powerful images and read the accompanying captions.

Photographer Sujata Setia has created an ongoing series titled Changing the Conversation.

On 14 February 1990, flight IA605 flying from Bombay to Bangalore, crashed killing 92 of 146 people on board; three of whom were Tulsi’s mother, father, and 5-year-old brother.
“I remember fighting with my brother about who will get to sit on the window seat and the next thing I hear was my grandma’s voice.
‘Tulsi your mum, dad, and Kamlesh are no more.’
Next few weeks were a blur and then came the time to meet the new me.
Not the 10-year-old boisterous Me… but the orphan, burn survivor Me.
From there on the word ‘ugly’ became my identity.
‘Who will marry her? Who will give her a job? She is so ugly!’—that sort of became my narrative at 10. Growing up, job rejection letters stated my face wasn’t fit for the job.
Life forced me to sign on for social benefits. An incident that day changed my life. I was waiting for a bus to goto the job center and a car pulled up right next to me. Next, I heard 4 men shouting at me, ‘You are so ugly. You should have died.’
I came very close to giving up that day. I came very close to taking my life.
But instead I chose to NOT LET MYSELF DOWN.
I got onto the bus and reached the job center to sign up. The lady there was just the most compassionate person ever. She made me realize that there is goodness in this world.
That was a turning point in my life. That’s the day I realized that maybe I’m not the most beautiful person in the world but I am certainly not ugly.
I chose to face my trauma and I healed myself.
I am now a reiki master. A spiritual coach. I help people with generational trauma and abuse so they are able to break that cycle. I am a model/ influencer/ speaker… things that my 10-year-old self wouldn’t imagine doing. Because she was told she was ugly.”
“Will you be able to hold that little 10-year-old You in your arms now and tell her with conviction that you will protect her?” I asked Tulsi.
“OF COURSE YES!! I will protect her and together we will and are living our best life.”

“I have wondered what it would be like to have more than one child, if I need to hold them both tight at the same time,” James said as he laughed casually.
9 years ago, James lost his arm and leg in an accident.
Ashley is a congenital amputee. Which means that she was born with the lower part of her right arm missing.
“I didn’t want to have children because I thought I wouldn't be able to hold her. How will I support her head while feeding? How will I tie her shoe laces? Or change her clothes… but it all worked itself out. Elara realises that mummy and daddy just have to do things differently. So she works with us on solutions.”
“You know how it is… with being limb different… you just have to be persistent.”
Ashley is a successful model and an advocate for families that have a limb different member. Since his accident, James has worked with Japanese gaming giant Konami to personally design and develop his own advanced bionic arm—earning himself the nickname Metal Gear Man. Since then, he's become a speaker, BBC presenter, and model.
They have the most beautiful 2-year-old daughter Elara, who truly is a ray of sunshine.

When I met Hannah for this shoot, I had to give no instructions. She asked me simply what my purpose was and I said “A world without exceptions.”She then went and sat at the spot against the backdrop and looked straight at the camera and her eyes; her soul spoke back to me. This is her story.
“Hi. I am Hannah. I am 18. I was born with a rare genetic condition called Hay-Wells Syndrome. There are only about 30 other people like me in this world. My condition has left my hair, teeth, and skin undeveloped.
It all started in college… the bullying. That's when we become self-conscious and start noticing the differences. It was too much, just too much to bear. I developed an eating disorder as a result. I am still battling with it.
I remember retaliating if they bullied me. I knew deep down inside that it wasn’t my fault but I couldn’t stop myself. That is what the bullies wanted. They wanted power over me. They wanted to dim my light.
But instead I decided to dim theirs. I started to ignore them and their jokes. I have forgiven them because everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves. Our younger self does not represent us as an adult.
If people stare at me now… which they do… all the time… then I just smile at them. I encourage people to ask me questions about my condition because I want to increase awareness about disabilities. That is why I became a model; so I could represent my tribe.
I want this world to become a collective union, where we can all embrace each others’ uniqueness. And until that doesn’t happen; I promise to never judge you, laugh at you, ridicule you or make you feel unworthy… even if you choose to not do the same for me.
Because I am Me. I am kind, strong, compassionate and filled with an inner glow. Because I am more than just a ‘rare genetic condition.'”

“‘101 Dalmatians. Cookie dough. Spotty Face,’ those were the names my classmates secretly kept for me.
Growing up, I hated myself.
I hated everyone around me.
No one looked like me… I didn’t look like them.
I thought I was ugly… horrible.
Those feelings took me to a very dark place. My relationships suffered… with people I loved the most…
Until 3 years ago.
My children were the turning point for me.
I remember that day so vividly. We were going on a family holiday and I was picking clothes that would help me cover myself. I didn’t want to be seen…
…and I just asked my self this one question: “What kind of a role model am I to my children, if I can’t embrace who I am?”
I don’t want them to worry to fit in. I want them to be comfortable with who they are.
And so that day, I chose to be ME!
Hi my name is Cheryl.
I was born with congenital Melanocytic nevus (CMN).
These are my scars.
This is me. I love me. I embrace me. I wear me with respect, confidence and endless joy, for I… AM A CELEBRATION!”

The series features people with disabilities and burn survivors as a way to honor their resilience in the face of obstacles.

“Aged two and a half years young I was burned with boiling water whilst playing a game of ‘Hide n Seek’ with my sister. I was hiding behind the bathroom door and accidentally fell backwards as my sister pushed the door open. I was rushed to the local hospital where we were told I wouldn’t survive. I was quickly transferred to another hospital and put on life support with no hope of survival, but weeks later I pulled through.
Growing up, I was taught to embrace my body and was often told I was beautiful, but as my 20s approached I began to hate my body.
One day whilst walking across a park with my mum, I was approached by a lady that told her I could be a runway model. My mother and I went to the agency later that day and whilst there I was told to fill out some forms. On the forms it asked whether I had any scars. I showed the form to my mother and was quite upset. She told me that it was okay and that I needed to be honest on the form.
When the lady came to take the form, she read it and quickly ushered me and my mother out of the agency. She told me that I could perhaps be a hand model but couldn’t possibly be a runway model with scars.
I was very upset by this and my world was turned upside down, and went on to suffer with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Six years ago, I walked London Fashion Week—twice—and this September I did it yet again.
Through my campaigning, standing outside London Fashion Week protesting with groups of ladies, I have now shown that anything is possible and everyone should be included in society.
I’m now in the process of setting up @lovedisfiguretalent agency so that we can see everything Diverse and Equal.
I am a Burn Survivor Thriving, Campaigner for people with Visible/Hidden Difference & Disabilities. I also hold two accolades: Point of Light Award & Boots Wellness Warrior, Women of the Year Award.” – Sylvia

“Hi, my name is Hattie. I was born with a congenital cataract and congenital glaucoma. This meant I required multiple operations as a baby leaving me with an enlarged black eye. Over the last few years this eye began to cause me pain and the consultant recommended I had it removed and replaced with a prosthetic, or the eye was at risk of rupturing and the pain would not ease. I have spent the majority of my life with a visible difference. I also developed psoriasis a few years ago, with red, sore patches of skin and nail changes. Some of these conditions result in stares and questions from strangers. I always try to keep an open mind to others’ approaches and feel I can now use it as an opportunity to educate and raise awareness. Over time I have grown in confidence, embracing my image and accepting its uniqueness, determined that my self-worth will not be defined by my outward appearance. I hope for a world where individuality is celebrated and normalized and desire to be part of that movement.”

Accompanying the powerful images are captions, often featuring the voice of the subject.

“Hi. My name is Erika. I have Neurofibromatosis type 2, (NF2), a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves, mainly in the brain and spine.
NF2 takes and continues taking, and while it does, we are left with physical losses like loss of vision, hearing and facial function, as well as less tangible ones like the loss of communicating with those we love, lost connections, relationships, and opportunities.
Many people don't talk about the importance of grieving these losses, just as one would grieve the loss of a loved one.
Processing grief is tiring and grueling but ultimately, it renews our strength. As we are thrown into yet another cycle of grief and loss, amidst surgeries, radiation, and drug trials, we find slivers of hope.
So, we keep going, adapting, evolving, and navigating the world we were not quite prepared for.
We celebrate life and advocate for ourselves and others. And though we continue to face the mental, physical, and emotional challenges, we don't do it alone.
We find and cherish our support systems—those who never left, but instead learned new ways to connect and communicate, held us up and never questioned our strength or our beauty, even if we might have done so, ourselves.”

Raiche was 18 months old when she was burnt in a house fire. Being a Black-British, female, burn survivor has come with its multiple narratives for Raiche. It is a story of marginalisation at multiple levels. A story of perceptions. “The way you look matters a lot in Black culture, so that was a long journey of acceptance for me… understanding, where I actually stand.
I felt like an outsider, but judgement was quick to come by from others as well. ‘Oh you don’t talk Black, you don’t act black,’ I was often reminded.”
Raiche and Catrin came together for this shoot so we could explore the concept of finding oneness in our differences. The role of finding our community, our tribe in helping us navigate the parody of life…to be… to feel… normal.
Together these two amazing women have and are continuing to help redefine “beauty” and normalize facial differences in this world.
I asked them what they feel about being called an “inspiration” every so often?
“Ya! Im living my best life. I wonder sometimes when people walk up to me and say I inspire them. While I am just living my life… I somehow inspire. I guess it’s because scars have a beautiful way of telling a story… a shared story of many commons.”

“I was told, my child won’t be born alive. At my 20 weeks pregnancy scan, she was diagnosed with a cystic hygroma—a fluid-filled sac that results from a blockage in the lymphatic system.
Doctors feared that the large cysts compressing her airways would potentially lead to fatal breathing problems at birth, and we were given the devastating news that Eden wouldn’t make it past the first day. But at 12:01 p.m. on August 9, 2016, miracle baby Eden defied all the odds and was delivered by C-section in a room full of doctors, pediatric surgeons and nurses. She was born with a lymphatic malformation in the form of a mass on her face and neck.
Five years and nearly 20 surgeries later, Eden has kept surprising doctors and defying the odds to become a perfect, happy, and beautiful little girl.
Since Eden was born, I have become her advocate in a bid to help kick the stigma of her visible difference and disability.
I won’t deny that unfortunately Eden has been subject to many nasty comments from trolls online about the way she looks.
But none of that will stop me from being my daughter’s voice, by standing up for Eden and everyone with a visible difference.” – Chelsea. Mother of Eden Sue (The girl who is “differently special”)

“I have a condition called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA Type 2.) I was diagnosed when I was 18 months old. Its a muscle wasting condition. So as I get older, I get weaker. So when I was around 15 years old, I went on a ventilator, full-time.
A lot of people think that it really gets me down. It did in the beginning but now I just get on with life. I have goals that I want to achieve!!
My 24-hour ventilator has not stopped me from becoming a model and educating people about disabilities. I just feel people need to understand that we are no different from you and so we should be treated the same way as you. We just need extra support.
Don’t be scared of using the word ‘disabled.’ Say ‘disabled.’ It is fine.
I try to educate people about disabilities through humor and through trends on Instagram and TikTok. Many of those posts do well. But I also get a lot of negative comments.
It gets a bit much sometimes. A lot of them are borderline death threats.
‘I am going to unplug your machine.’
‘I am going to push you down the stairs.’
But I get on with what I need to do. I express who I am… my body confidence… through the pictures I post with other people on social media. So that they feel confident in their bodies as well.
I just want to say: Disabled people do have fulfilling happy lives. So please don’t think of us as inspirations because we are happily getting on with our lives.”

September 2013, Sassy lost her sight to a deteriorating eye condition called Uveitis Iritis. The vision loss started at 14 and she lost major chunks of it by the time she was 16. Eight years ago, she went in for an eye operation with the knowledge that the results could go either way. Her eye had had so many operations on it earlier that it had become too weak and damaged and there was a high chance that it could not withstand another.
Yet, the eternal optimist—Sassy, went into the surgery with a positive mindset. Unfortunately, however, she came out of the surgery, with blood over her eye… which meant that no light could get in.
Once the blood subsided… Sassy could see light or what you can call “light perception.” She can tell day from night. But that is all!
When we went out for her photo session, I noticed Sassy looking toward the sky… Her beautiful eyes were chasing the light…
The next five years were a rollercoaster of emotions for Sassy.
“I have been diagnosed with depression. I have taken it out on people I care about the most. I get angry and frustrated. And there are days I have truly wished that I could turn back the clock and never have the operation. I want people reading this to know that no matter what, you are not alone and that you will come out on the other side. Because here I am… telling you this story… BECAUSE I GOT PAST IT!!” she says.
“For years I was tethering on the edge between two worlds. The sighted world and the blind world.
As my world became darker. More shadow than light… I was left behind.
I was still me, I wasn’t different, but to others I was. I had changed.
With my future distorting before my very own eyes, I didn’t know which path to take. But with each step, it became a triumph, a celebration, and a new milestone reached.
I face misconceptions, prejudice, and discrimination. But I also face love, support, compassion and inclusion.
I see the beauty everywhere I go. I hear the laughter and I feel the joy.
Now I stand out from the crowd and I shine.
I carry the weight of who I am with pride. Everything I want to be and everything I can be.” – Poem by @sassywyattofficial (The girl who sees light.)

Sujata Setia: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Sujata Setia.

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Just in time to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mattel has announced a new Barbie doll honoring Anna May Wong. A trailblazing movie star from the first half of the 20th century, Wong is widely considered to be the first Chinese American female actor in Hollywood.

The Anna May Wong doll is part of the Barbie Inspiring Women series, which has immortalized other cultural icons such as Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, and Sally Ride. “As the first Asian American actor to lead a U.S. television show, whose perseverance broke down barriers for her gender and AAPI community in film and TV, Anna May Wong is the perfect fit for our Barbie Inspiring Women Series,” said Mattel's ​​executive vice president, Lisa McKnight.

Mattel worked closely with Anna Wong, the actor's niece, to develop the doll's look. “I did not hesitate at all. It was such an honor and so exciting,” she told AP News. “I wanted to make sure they got her facial features and clothing correct. And they did!” Wong’s niece added that she had a Barbie growing up, so she loves the idea of Asian children having a doll who looks like them.

Designed by Carlyle Nuera, the new Barbie doll features Wong’s signature blunt bangs and pencil-thin eyebrows, as well as red lipstick and dramatic eye makeup. She is dressed in a red evening gown with a golden dragon design and a long sheer shawl, along with golden earrings and heels. Her elegant outfit is inspired by her appearance in Limehouse Blues (1934).

Born in Los Angeles in 1905, Wong grew up seeing movie crews around her neighborhood. She landed her first leading role in The Toll of the Sea (1922) at age 17, before making a swift transition to the sound film era. Her filmography includes The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong, the first-ever U.S. television show starring an Asian American as a series lead. She was also the first Asian American woman to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for acting.

On top of her screen work, Wong was considered one of the best dressed women of her time. She was known for mixing flapper style with traditional Chinese garments and bold accessories. Despite reaching international success, Wong struggled with stereotypes in the film industry, which led her to advocate for greater representation of Asian American actors in Hollywood.

Before getting her own Barbie, Wong also made history a few months ago when she became the first Asian American to appear on U.S. currency as part of the American Women Quarters program.

If you'd like to get your own Anna May Wong doll, this limited-edition Barbie is now available for pre-order via Target and Mattel.

Just in time to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mattel has announced a new Barbie doll honoring Anna May Wong.

A trailblazing movie star from the first half of the 20th century, Wong is widely considered to be the first Chinese American female actor in Hollywood.

The Anna May Wong doll features her signature blunt bangs and pencil-thin eyebrows, as well as red lipstick and dramatic eye makeup.

She is dressed in a red evening gown with a golden dragon design and a long sheer shawl, along with golden earrings and heels.

The Anna May Wong doll is part of the Barbie Inspiring Women series, which has immortalized other cultural icons such as Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, and Sally Ride.

Barbie: Website | Instagram
h/t: [AP News]

All images via Mattel.

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Kenyan photographer Migwa Nthiga is shedding light on Indigenous culture in his evocative series of portraits, Walks Of Life. For the series, Nthiga followed Indigenous Nilotic people as they went about their daily activities. Living close to Lake Turkana in Northern Kenya, these people have faced increasing hardship due to recurring droughts in the area. By taking their portraits, Nthiga hopes to shed light on this beautiful culture and the struggles provoked by the climate crisis.

From a creative standpoint, Nthiga's dreamy imagery combines the skill of candid photography with a visual sensibility that results in photos that appear to be ripped from a fashion magazine. With dramatic lighting and interesting color choices, the portfolio has a cinematic quality that elevates the photography.

Looking at the photos, it should come as no surprise that Nthiga has experience in advertising. His images not only tell a story, but they also “sell” the viewer on the narrative. He is clearly able to transform his previous professional experience in selling brands into a vehicle for telling human stories.

We had a chance to speak with Nthiga about how he got his start in photography and why it was important for him, as a native Kenyan, to tell the story of this Indigenous culture. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview.

How did your love for photography begin and when did it become a serious profession?

My love for photography began when I was a sophomore at university studying Public Relations and Marketing. I took a film photography course as an elective and fell in love with the art form from day one. It was the only course I studied and practiced ahead of the course plan. My best friend and I would write down fashion photography concepts and shoot them in his backyard with friends of ours posing for free. We would lose track of time doing this…it was great!

In my last year of university, I did my three-month mandatory internship at a formidable advertising agency named Scanad. They eventually hired me full-time, and I spent the next two and a half years soaking in the experience of managing brand campaigns and setting up commercial photoshoots. This is when I saw the commercial viability of photography and planned my exit strategy to form my own commercial photography business.

You do lots of different types of photography, but your portraits and documentation of people are particularly striking. What fulfills you creatively about photographing people?

After shooting print advertisements for 10 years, I felt it was time to switch it up and tell deeper, more meaningful human interest stories. This came about after shooting brand campaigns that really put ordinary people from different walks of life at the center of their marketing communications strategies.

What fulfills me creatively about photographing people is the opportunity to tell real-life stories that inspire and inform others about different ways of life. Documentary photography also allows me to travel and visit places I have never been. I learn from these experiences, and it's just like being in university, only cooler and more insightful. I also have the freedom to be creative and photograph stories that move me as opposed to shooting a brief that has the goal of increasing brand equity.

How did the idea for Walks Of Life come about?

My Walks Of Life series was born through the need to tell authentic Nilotic Indigenous stories. Often we get international foreign photographers coming to tell these stories with their own biases and agendas that neither reflects the true nature of the tribes they have come to photograph nor make any sustainable impact in their lives.

Walks Of Life is the first of many projects I will be working on to promote travel expeditions to these far remote areas so that people can experience firsthand the beautiful way of life of the people in Northern Kenya. Indigenous communities have a lot of knowledge that we can learn from as we look for sustainable solutions to the climate crisis. There is also increased food insecurity due to prolonged drought in our country, and the nomadic pastoralists are bearing the brunt of this as they travel great distances in search of food and water, so learning from their beautiful ways of conservation would also help them. As my bigger goal, I would like to travel and tell more African Indigenous stories so more people in Africa and around the world can be inspired to move faster in developing climate solutions.

Why was it important for you, as a native of Kenya, to tell this story?

It was important for me as a native of Kenya to tell this story to show that Kenyan storytellers have a voice and unique perspectives to share with the wider world. We need more Kenyan and African storytellers to tell our own stories because they are authentic and homegrown. This will also create job opportunities for young Kenyans and Africans at large that will keep them off the street and away from crime as we collectively retell the African narrative.

What was the most challenging part of creating this story?

The most challenging part of creating this story was convincing the people we photographed that we were not there to exploit them, as this is their view of photographers and filmmakers due to the selling of their stories overseas and making profits that the Indigenous communities don't benefit from. We gave them money and bought them food, but there need to be more sustainable programs that can keep them going for longer periods of time.

So much photography we see of African cultures is taken by foreigners. Can you share a bit about why you think that is? 

I think it's because foreigners are curious about African cultures. There is something magical about Indigenous cultures that we all feel drawn to; their simple way of life connected to nature where we all came from. I think modern humans were sold a dream that has made us stray away from what is truly important in this life and as a result, we have damaged the earth in pursuit of this dream. Seeing Indigenous communities living in tandem with nature could be speaking to us at a deeply cellular maybe even spiritual level, and that could be why we are so drawn to them. So maybe that's why foreigners like to photograph African cultures for them and their audiences who feel this need to connect to something deeper.

To others, it could just be to make money from the unique stories they find in Africa.

Do you see African photographers starting to get more opportunities to show their own perspectives to an international audience?

African photographers are starting to get more opportunities to show their own perspectives to an international audience thanks to the internet. Social media is playing a huge part in this as we see more African visual artists sharing their work and creating interest in trips to Africa by international tourists, explorers, researchers, and the like. African photographers are also proud of what Africa has to offer, and I think that's also what's driving content creation.

What do you hope that people take away from these photos?

I hope my photos inspire people to be more curious about African cultures and visit Africa to have first-hand interactions with them. I hope my photos inspire other African storytellers to take part in retelling the African narrative. I hope my photos help in showing the importance of mending our relationship with nature so we can find sustainable solutions to the climate crisis.

What are you working on now?

I am working on creating cultural exchange spaces in Northern Kenya where people can come and learn about the Indigenous communities they wish to film and photograph as well as teach the Indigenous community members different skills they can use to improve their own lives. This includes how to tell their own stories using affordable smartphone devices that help them curate their own content and document their own way of life. This could be an alternative source of income for them as they would have full rights to their content that they could sell either digitally or hardcopy prints through photography exhibitions at these spaces.

Migwa Nthiga: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Migwa Nthiga.

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Iran’s Food & Drug Administration has ordered pharmacies to force their female staff to wear black veils at workplace. Iranian men are mocking this order and supporting their female colleagues by wearing hijab.
Compulsory hijab is the main pillar of a religious relationship.… https://t.co/h7sixsZyfq pic.twitter.com/cnngIXynGm

— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) March 7, 2023

Iranian women have been openly protesting the mandatory use of a hijab since 2022. Protests broke out after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was arrested by the Iranian morality police for not wearing her hijab properly and she died in their custody. While the demonstrations have put the issue on a global stage, the Iranian government has tried to push back. Recently, it was reported that Iran's FDA has ordered female pharmacy workers across the country to wear only black hijabs in the workplace. In turn, their male coworkers have shown their support for the women with a tongue-in-cheek response.

Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad shared two images of male pharmacy workers—one with a prescription in his hand, the other browsing a store shelf—sporting the now-mandated black hijab. “Iran’s Food & Drug Administration has ordered pharmacies to force their female staff to wear black veils at workplace. Iranian men are mocking this order and supporting their female colleagues by wearing hijab,” Alinejad wrote. “Compulsory hijab is the main pillar of a religious relationship. Together we will bring this wall down.”

According to Iran International, on top of the compulsory hijab, drugstores have to display the new “rule” where the clients can see it. On top of that, the managers are responsible for monitoring how female staff are covered. If anyone wants to open a pharmacy, the owner must submit a written commitment regarding this topic. Due to this new law, two drugstores in Tehran and Amol have been shut down after female employees failed to comply.

One of the images was shared on Reddit, where it gained over 85,000 upvotes. There, users pointed out that the black and white are regarded as “professional colors,” as they supposedly keep the women from standing out and attracting the men's attention. While there is little information on whether more male pharmacy workers have joined the movement, the message they are sending is an inspiring act of solidarity. It also spotlights how the new rule is a selective attack on only one gender, placing blame for a man’s desires on women while simultaneously eliminating a woman’s choice. The issue is not the hijab itself. It is the choice that it being taken away. These men are showing the senseless double-standards women in Iran are currently being subjected to with this new rule.

After Iran's FDA has ordered female pharmacy workers to wear only black hijabs, their male coworkers have shown their support for the women by putting them on as well.

h/t: [Reddit]

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