Spiked - When Virtue Signalling Goes Wrong

[Tesla73]

www.spiked-online.com/2021/10/06/when-virtue-signalling-goes-wrong/

Jo Bartosch writing here how this woke agenda has real implications for those who are far more marginalised in our modern society.

Wonder how much it cost taxpayers to paint these crossings and how much it will cost to paint over them? all at a time when real issues in the real world are arguably more important but as this article points out they take a little more work than just painting a road

Beautifully written, like a lot of what I've read from her. Thanks for sharing!

Absolutely detest the new rainbow plus T+++++++++ crossing in Wimbledon, but still a bit chicken about raising the matter with the council :( ......

Andrew Doyle was very funny on this
twitter.com/andrewdoyle_com/status/1444917784970924035

Perhaps when the rainbow crossing fad is faded, they can have crossings painted for other protected characteristics in the EA, such as disability, or age (very old and young).

Who knows, it may catch on?

Someone needs to update the highway code, just so everyone knows to y'know stop at it.

@Anotheruser02, that's hilarious! Perhaps I could post the link to the Roads and Pavements dept... :)

The crossing signals are awful, absolutely no consideration whatsoever for anyone who has any processing difficulties.

Let's be honest, rainbow-washing is a way of avoiding spending money on actual issues.

@MoltenLasagne

Let's be honest, rainbow-washing is a way of avoiding spending money on actual issues.

You're right. It gives simple photo opportunities in a way that making accessible provision for older people, people with disabilities (including learning disabilities) will never manage.

It's a one-off series of items on a checklist that persist. Unlike changing the culture that would recognise and respect people's needs and funding it.

@MoltenLasagne

Let's be honest, rainbow-washing is a way of avoiding spending money on actual issues.

While organisations like Transport for London are flying rainbow flags, it’s still the case that there are just 50 stations where someone in a wheelchair can access trains unassisted.

@ArtemesiaK

I too am in Wimbledon. (Although as you can see I have chicken name changed for this. )

I am trying to work out who to moan to about the crossing. They did paint it over I think but turns out that was just so they could add the trans flag.

Stephen Hammond? While simultaneously telling him to read his copy of Trans?

Merton council?

Or I know someone who knows a councillor and I think they both follow WPUK on Twitter so I thought about that maybe...

I would go in with the ableism angle, how dare they make some people actually less safe to make others feel more celebrated. That is not diversity and inclusion.

Theres a new one in leamington in rainbow colours (or at least new to me - don't visit often).

On one journey I nearly caused the car behind to go into me as I saw the stripes, panicked and braked thinking it was a zebra crossing. Luckily they stopped but were obviously annoyed.

Mentioned it at the dinner we were at and everyone laughed at me for being silly an stopping.

So on the way back I drove through slowly as normal; only for a pedestrian to step out who thought it was a zebra!

Luckily its in a low speed area but not great really. I wonder if there have been any actual accidents rather than just near misses.

An interesting risk assessment of the 'crossings'

rmpartners.co.uk/taking-pride-in-zebra-crossings/

Yes definitely ableism. Just looked to see if they had tweeted about it but couldn't find anything.

My kids are in Merton state schools and the underfunding is a joke. My dd 's primary school basically didn't have paper or glue or pens. And I know these are different budgets but THIS IS PUBLIC MONEY.

[quote Whitefire]An interesting risk assessment of the 'crossings'

rmpartners.co.uk/taking-pride-in-zebra-crossings/[/quote]
Ha! That's brilliant, 'waffle waffle, diversity waffle waffle, commitment, waffle waffle, might kill pedestrians or motorists.'

You couldn't make it up. Sometimes I wonder if everyone is just so pissed off, but not able to say that, so doing these fucking stupid things to peak others, hoping someone else will put a stop to the madness.

Like a toddler looking for boundaries, they really just want to see someone in control saying "No stop it".

Those are an abomination. I’d purposely avoid setting foot on them. Rainbow-washing tripe.

I think it looks pretty.
Shame it doesn't work as a crossing and is unrecognisable to both drivers and guide dogs in a sort of 'that the fuck is this?' way.

I wonder what would happen to a learner driver who didn't stop at this during a test if a pedestrian was waiting to cross?

There’s one in Camden. I actually had no idea at first it was a crossing and drove over it

@Kendodd

I wonder what would happen to a learner driver who didn't stop at this during a test if a pedestrian was waiting to cross?

You would fail. They don’t give you any quarter on this kind of thing. Any instructor worth their salt would have prepared you so it would likely only happen if someone was taking their test out of area.

[quote Anotheruser02]Andrew Doyle was very funny on this
twitter.com/andrewdoyle_com/status/1444917784970924035[/quote]
That was excellent! Thanks for sharing. Though it has just made me late for work.

I found this about a transgender crossing! The comments are quite clear about the locals' feelings.... :) www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/19310306.sutton-celebrates-transgender-community-new-crossing/