There's much to say about this obvious rip-off by the New York Times and Alec Soth, as @chiragwakaskar pointed out.

1. Tonika Johnson @tonikagj with her #FoldedMap project shows better research, and much more empathy and involvement in the community https://www.foldedmapproject.com/  https://twitter.com/chiragwakaskar/status/1302423719332188161

Why would the New York Times not show her work? Why not commission her to photograph a place she's obviously much more committed to? Why parachute a white male to photograph this, and by doing so revert to the usual visual tropes? Why not, at the very least, acknowledge her work?

2. The New York Times is, once again, collaborating with Magnum Photos. Their silence on the ethical transgressions within the collective is still deafening and mostly shameful. They still think this will blow over. Unfortunately, they're probably right. https://twitter.com/davidvaaknin/status/1296533655238717441?s=19

3. Members of Magnum Photos, including Alec Soth, are still staying quiet about the allegations against David Alan Harvey, one of their colleagues. I would like to be proved wrong here - if you know of any members who spoke up about it please share. https://twitter.com/davidvaaknin/status/1297178659741151232?s=19

A reminder that Mr. Soth, was too busy to respond or say something about the ethical issues plaguing Magnum Photos and the allegations against David Alan Harvey. I guess we can assume ripping off @tonikagj work is very time consuming.

4. I used to see Mr. Soth's work as a benchmark and as an example of great photography. I still have one of his books.

Recently, I've been asking myself why? His recent work, as shown in the NYT rip-off of @tonikagj and his silence on ethics only make this question more valid.

5. And this is a bit personal. As someone who has been working on a long-term project, I can really sympathize with @tonikagj

What I can't imagine, is what it feels like seeing what you worked on being so bluntly copied by a major publication and by a prominent photographer.

6. Which brings me to my conclusion: Photo editors, please hire Black photographers, assign women photographers, same goes for minorities. Commission/license work and projects from local photographers/artists who have shown commitment to their respective communities.

Stop parachuting-in white male photographers when and where you can do much better, like showing you care about local photographers/artists and the communities they live in. It will also show you value original work and everything included in producing unique work.

I'll finish this rant thread by resharing @tonikagj brilliant project #FoldedMap https://www.foldedmapproject.com/