Issues like rape, sexual abuse and harassment are extremely sensitive subjects. While engaging in any kind of dialogue surrounding these issues, it is to be kept in mind not to trivialise such issues and victim shame. However, some things are completely unacceptable to say while talking about rape.
According to a report by The Indian Express, Kerala MP Hibi Eden’s wife Anna Eden recently took to Facebook to post an insensitive remark about rape.
“Fate is like rape, if you can’t resist it, then try to enjoy it,” she wrote.
She wrote it captioning two videos of her family coping with floods Ernakulam. One video is of her child being rescued from their home following heavy rainfall in Kochi, and the other is of the Kerala MP, Hibi Eden, enjoying a sizzler, reports News18. See the post here:
People have taken on social media to express how it is unbelievable and downright disrespectful of Anna Eden to post something like this being a woman and holding an influential social standing.
Absolutely crass and careless comment from a woman. Trivialization of rape is unacceptable. And there's nothing to enjoy when a crime is being committed. Disgusting. https://t.co/GNGEJ6oAYY
— Aparna (@chhuti_is) October 22, 2019
Kerala Congress MP Hibi Eden's wife, Anna Eden's Facebook post.
The caption encapsulates a sick mentality. This shit cannot be tolerated.
This makes me extremely angry and disgusted.
She's a law student.
Sick! pic.twitter.com/dNVSYL7CZY— Arya 🌹 (@RantingDosa) October 22, 2019
Sheesh! This is so sickening. https://t.co/LqlCjzEXjA
— VJA (@vineethJA) October 22, 2019
This is sick, that too coming from a woman is pathetic 🤢
Anna Eden needs a therapy! https://t.co/y7i2PtXZWH
— ~ | ಪ್ರಸಾದ್ | Prasad | ~ (@Manjina_Hani) October 22, 2019
To say Anna Eden’s comments are in poor taste would be the understatement of the year. Barring the fact that she’s the wife of the MP of Ernakulam, she’s a woman – and as a woman, she belittled sexual assault and abuse all for the sake of making a joke? #AnnaEden #AnnaLindaEden
— aarathidas (@aarathidas) October 23, 2019
As per an MP's wife the rains are nothing but fate so enjoy it…. while many are in relief camps. She compares it to rape. Wah!
No wonder nothing ever changes…those in power enjoys despite everything.. #AnnaEden— Happy Kitten (@Asha_EK) October 22, 2019
My ex boss once gave this invaluable "life lesson" to me. And i was left wondering WTF! It's not just blatant insensitivity, but trivialising a life shattering TRAUMA millions in our country encounter every year!
— Anandarup Dutta (@anandarupsays) October 22, 2019
One one side there are people fighting against rape and then there are these entitled popular people, who go around making jokes on rape and think that they can get away with it.
Extremely shameful and disgusting!— Arya 🌹 (@RantingDosa) October 22, 2019
On receiving tremendous backlash and criticism from people on the internet calling her out on her “poor taste” and “crass” behavior, she went on to delete the entire post and later posted an apology claiming that she empathises with rape victims and that her post had been misconstrued.
You can read the apology post here:
സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയയിൽ ഞാൻ ഉപയോഗിച്ച വാക്കുകൾ എന്റെ ഉദ്ദേശങ്ങൾക്കപ്പുറം ചർച്ച ചെയ്യപ്പെടുകയും , ജീവിതത്തിൽ അത്തരം ദുരവസ്ഥയിലൂടെ…
Posted by Anna Linda Eden on Tuesday, October 22, 2019
To even think, let alone post it on social media with thousands of followers, that rape could be enjoyed is not just inappropriate, but is disrespectful, cruel, and unsympathetic towards the millions of rape victims across the world. Can we not be more mindful and compassionate while speaking about such topics?
Cover: Source.