Booted for Boobies

It seems that one of my images displaying nudity was found to be in violation of the community standards of "Hometown AOL". I find it laughable because that particular image was on the "Hometown AOL" server for over a year. I had redesigned the site to make it more friendly for those who do not like the nudes. I had included a "skip nudes" button for when the viewer was running through the portfolio in a sequential manner. I had re-uploaded the the entire site and 3 days later I was informed that the whole thing was deleted. Oddly, it was just one image they found to be offensive. I wrote to the powers-that-be to find out why all my work was deleted and not just the "offending" page. I have yet to get a response. When you are the biggest and I am only one small user, it is a good bet that a response will not be forthcomming soon.

I understand that AOL wishes to keep a "decent" community. I do not feel that AOL is for something patently pornographic or tasteless. But purusal of some of the sites put up by some on this service are with little or no merit. Most I have seen are just teens doing their thing on the web. I feel that my site stood out from the rest because it presented some (if I may say so my self) quality photography. If AOL wishes to be know for such Pulitzer Prize winning sites as "Jason's Tribute Page to Britney Spears", "Trent's and Steffie's Vacation Photos of Their Trip to Utica, NY" and "Anna's Disertation on the Distinct Differences Between Dole and Chiquita Bananas", so be it. (These are not real sites but some do come close with the degree of insipidness)

I am not bitter. A little bemused, for sure. I know that some of my pictures will offend some people. And not just prudes. Much of what I am trying to communicate is deeply felt and I am using as a canvas the bodies of women. Some people have a problem with that. That is OK and I support your right to not be confronted by things which upset you. If you are offended by something stay away from it. It is clear from my splash page that there are nudes in the portfolio. If someone with some intelligence sees that and knows that they do not wish to see such things I would expect them not to enter the portfolio. Why should I be punished for someone elses stupidity?

You may be asking yourself why I have not cancelled my AOL account. I choose not to because many friends and all my family know this email account as my primary one. Also, my daughter has two email accounts through my main account. In addition I have the Visions Dance Studio web site on one of the screen names.

AOL can continue to do its little thing while I will do mine elsewhere. If Earthlink kicks me off too then I will just have to get a .COM for myself.

I will also post anti-censorship links on this page in the future. After this all shakes out I will be posting the letters between myself and AOL.

I believe what I am doing is right and good. There are those who think differently. I respect your feelings and will not shove my stuff down your throat. All I ask is to leave me alone too. I believe in your right to exist, please respect my rights too.