London Underground station slammed for writing sexist Suffragist sign
A London Underground station has been criticised for making an “incredibly short-sighted” remark about Suffragist Emily Davison failing to make her husband his dinner.
Written on a board in Colliers Wood to celebrate the centenary of women obtaining the right to vote in the UK, the sign in South-West London was deemed sexist and inappropriate by commuters using the station.
“100 years ago, suffragette Emily Davison died after throwing herself in front of the king’s horse,” read the board.
“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!”
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
Others expressed their frustration over the station’s choice of words on the micro-blogging website.
This is just so, so bad— Victoria Haslam (@_victoriahaslam) February 7, 2018
oh good god— Rhiannon Griffiths (@rhigriffiths) February 7, 2018
Oh my GOD. please tell me that isn’t real.— Georgina Sheeran (@SheeranGeorgina) February 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/SocialBoffin/status/961211476785610752
Emily Davison was an impassioned activist who made a substantial contribution in helping women gain the right to vote.
During her acts of rebellion, she was arrested on nine occasions, went on hunger strike seven times and was force fed on forty-nine occasions.
She died at the 1913 Epsom Derby after she was hit by King George V‘s horse Anmer when she walked onto the track during the race.
Transport for London apologised to Clegg after they saw her response.
“I’m pleased with their response, but obviously the sign should never have been put up in the first place, and it looks like they need to provide better training for their staff members in diversity and equality,” said Clegg to 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.
“It could have been used for a positive and educational purpose, so it’s a waste of an opportunity as well as being disrespectful,” she added.
