Whiteboard signs at Tube stations are a frequent talking point on social media, whether that's because they've made Londoners laugh, feel inspired, or like an idiot because they've been fooled by a bogus one.
But they also have the propensity to antagonise people, and Transport for London is currently in hot water over a sign marking yesterday's 100-year anniversary of some women gaining the right to vote in the UK.
On Wednesday morning, Twitter user Evelyn Clegg (@Evie_tweeting) posted a photo of the 'Thought Of The Day' at Colliers Wood station in southwest London, which made a comment about suffragette Emily Davison failing to make her husband's evening meal.
Is this supposed to be funny, @tfl? Well this humourless feminist is genuinely appalled. Incredibly short-sighted & a waste of an opportunity for celebration. #Suffragette100 #everydaysexism #collierswoodstation pic.twitter.com/Mhz2BzQfyD
— Evelyn Clegg (@Evie_tweeting) February 7, 2018
“100 years ago, suffragette Emily Davison died after throwing herself in front of the king’s horse," the sign incorrectly said (she actually died in 1913). "History remembers her as being influential in giving women the right to vote. What history doesn’t remember is her husband, who didn’t get his tea that night!”
But Clegg was far from convinced of its comic merit. "Is this supposed to be funny, @tfl? Well this humourless feminist is genuinely appalled," she tweeted. "Incredibly short-sighted & a waste of an opportunity for celebration. #Suffragette100 #everydaysexism #collierswoodstation."
She also tweeted Mayor of London Sadiq Khan directly, blasting the sign for being "inappropriate & disrespectful". Khan has yet to respond to the tweet.
Hi @SadiqKhan - thought you'd want to see this inappropriate & disrespectful board at Colliers Wood station. @tfl #100Years #Suffragette100 #StillMarching https://t.co/s1c05KkwEp
— Evelyn Clegg (@Evie_tweeting) February 7, 2018
One male tweeter believed Clegg hadn't understood the joke, claiming it was funny "because referencing the irony of fighting parliament for the right to vote whilst (in this case fictional) misogyny reigns at home causes a logical disconnect, which is solved by laughter".
And the mansplaining award of the day goes to... 😄 @SiannusMaximus #everydaysexism pic.twitter.com/tmy576TCCN
— Evelyn Clegg (@Evie_tweeting) February 7, 2018
But many more people, particularly women, also failed to see the funny side, deeming it "embarrassing and not remotely funny", "appalling" and as evidence that feminism still has a long way to go.
This is so embarrassing and not remotely funny. How did anyone see this going down well? https://t.co/iw1cGeu9M9
— Bridie Pearson-Jones (@bridiepjones) February 7, 2018
How exactly is it hilarious? Labouring old jokes about women being in the kitchen in reference to a woman who gave up her life to fight for equality? This isn't someone being rabbidly feminist, it's about not having sh*te excuses for jokes like this being put in public places
— Sian Robertson (@SiannusMaximus) February 7, 2018
Really? On the day we celebrated women getting to vote in general elections for the first time, someone thought this appropriate. https://t.co/dBDCSO2PPc
— alexa milne (@Alexa_Milne) February 7, 2018
how bizarre that someone cant mark an important step towards equality, without proving why we still need to do more workhttps://t.co/Vx6aux8h5d
— Wanyal (@Wanyal) February 7, 2018
Is this for real? What utter contempt shown to women by @TfL ..truly appalling.
— LoneLadyHQ (@LoneLadyHQ) February 7, 2018
TfL responded to Clegg's tweet this afternoon, apologising for the message and claiming it was "taken down immediately" after her tweet came to light. "This issue is now being investigated," it added.
Hi, apologies, just to let you know that this message was taken down immediately after I saw your tweet earlier. This issue is now being investigated. I hope your day gets better. Thanks
— Transport for London (@TfL) February 7, 2018
Clegg said she was pleased with the response but that it "should never have been put up in the first place". "It looks like they need to provide better training for their staff members in diversity and equality," she told the Evening Standard.
"I'm sure I'll be accused of 'not being able to take a joke', but humour based on the death of a woman who was fighting for basic equality is completely inappropriate. Yesterday was a day for celebration of these brave women, and this sign is so disappointing in its recycling of lazy sexist jokes."
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