I never knew eating on tubes was such a taboo until
I came across this bizarre Facebook group with over 25, 000 members “Women Who
Eat on Tubes.” This ludicrous group captures pictures of unsuspecting women in
London who eat on tubes and then posts them on its Facebook page stating the exact
subway line, time and location where the photograph was taken.
I am not one who loves eating on tubes but sometimes
you are so busy that the only opportunity you have to eat is when you are on
transit. I would guess that is the reason these women have been eating on the
tubes. However, it seems the Facebook group has something else on its mind when
they see women eating on tubes, it seems they see it as Wildlife photography
and as such describe it as Art. As was stated by the founder of the group Tony
Burke who insisted that his project was not offensive or misogynistic. I
personally think that is a lame excuse to cover up his act since he has
witnessed the backlash his group has received from feminists and the media.
This all started in 2011, although the site made
headlines last week after journalist Sophie
Wilkinson wrote a story describing how she felt
"hurt and humiliated" after a man took her photo while she ate her
lunch on the tube, and posted it on the Facebook page.
"I'd like to know the name of her finishing
school," read a comment under her image.
"I was
the butt of a joke without my knowledge, in front of thousands of strangers.
I'd been 'stranger-shamed'" she responded.
In less than a week, Lucy Brisbane McKay and Alexis
Calvas had planned last week’s protest, which had garnered almost 500 attendees
on the Facebook event.
Armed with a wicker picnic basket and
a vintage suitcase filled with bananas, the pair passed out the fruit to
protesters, both female and male, in the tube carriage.
While some munched on humble sandwiches and steadied
themselves by holding onto the carriage poles, other hungry activists sat with
full-spreads of sushi with signs reading "I eat on the tube" propped
up against them. At each station, people would join the group with their lunch
in hand. The aim of the protest was to eat on the tubes and show the jovial
nature of eating on tubes.
Apart from the fact that it is an unfair, sexist and
an invasion of privacy meted out against innocent women, this practice is also
downright stupid. And that is why I am happy about the protest that took place
last week to stop this wrong doing. I know you can’t stop people from acting
insane, but I think there can be strict rules or measures put in place in order
to stop this inhumane act. If possible I would like Facebook to finally put an end
to this group.
What do you guys think?
