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Really, Bowlmor?: “Getting jumped in an alley has never been this much fun”

August 31, 2012 By HKearl

This unacceptable ad was seen and photographed on the Q train in New York City by someone at Equality Now. She added the “Trigger Warning” message.

The full text of ad reads, “Getting jumped in an alley has never been this much fun.”

Clearly, the writer has never actually been jumped in an alley, nor has someone they care about. It is not fun.

Has anyone else seen this ad? I’m thinking about doing a Change.org petition to ask that it be taken down because of how offensive it is, but I want to know more about it first.

In the meantime, you can contact Bowlmor Lanes and the NYC Transit Authority directly to let them know this subway ad is inappropriate and must go!

Website:
• http://www.bowlmor.com/about/
• http://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/mta_nyc.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

Facebook:
• https://www.facebook.com/BowlmorLanes
• http://www.facebook.com/MTA.info
• http://www.facebook.com/pages/MTA-New-York-City-Transit/232635164606

Twitter:
• https://twitter.com/bowlmorlanes
• http://twitter.com/mtainsider
• http://twitter.com/nyctsubwayscoop
• http://twitter.com/nyctbusstop
• http://twitter.com/MetroCardCity

H/T to Collective Action for Safe Spaces
UPDATE: After the Huffington Post covered the ad, Bowlmor emailed them this response:

“We are surprised and disappointed that our recent advertisement – intended to be a humorous play on the words “bowling alley” – has been misinterpreted to advocate violence against women. Our company – consisting of hundreds of talented men and women – does not support abuse or violence in any form. Since its inception, Bowlmor Lanes has strived to be socially responsible and offer a family-friendly environment to our customers. We offer our sincere apologies to anyone who was offended by this advertisement. The campaign in question was scheduled to run throughout Aug. 2012, and is no longer in circulation. There are no plans to generate this campaign again.”

It’s too bad they don’t understand why this ad is offensive, but hey, at least they say they wont use it again.

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Filed Under: street harassment Tagged With: Bowlmor, MTA, NYC, offensive ads, q train, sexual violence

Comments

  1. Scott Pack says

    August 31, 2012 at 4:39 pm

    Street harassment is a serious issue and I feel for anyone who has had a bad experience in that way but I am sure there are more important things for an organisation like yours to do than attempt to start up campaigns against a harmless play on words.

    This ad uses a pun to make a joke. It is not offensive. A few overly-sensitive people may find it not to their liking but that doesn’t make it wrong or worthy of banning.

    A ‘campaign’ such as this is going to make you look stupid to more people than it will ever help. It will be to your detriment. If you find it offensive, fine. What actual impact did being offended have on you? Did you suffer physical pain? Did you come out in a rash? Did you suffer humiliation and emotional distress? No, you got annoyed for a few seconds.

    Move on. Do something important with your time.

    This is nonsense.

  2. Renee says

    September 4, 2012 at 10:11 am

    Thanks for the h/t, Holly. Excited to learn more from others who have seen this sign and then see if we can get it down!

  3. beckie says

    September 5, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Why am i not surprised that Scott, a male thinks this is a waste of time? Obviously he’s never been jumped in an ally either. Does the N word hurt? Cause physical pain? Does a door banging loudly hurt a war vet? No but I’ve still seen men fall to the ground like bullets were flying at them. And for those of us who have been jumped in an ally, this is not a light pun!

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SSH will not publish any comment that is offensive or hateful and does not add to a thoughtful discussion of street harassment. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, disabalism, classism, and sexism will not be tolerated. Disclaimer: SSH may use any stories submitted to the blog in future scholarly publications on street harassment.
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