Don't Judge the Boston T People
MBTA riders are a fickle bunch. Most are just trying to keep it together from A to B, girding their loins as they loiter underground together in a confined space with the unwashed masses. Most riders just want to be left the hell alone, and if not, would relish the opportunity to put your head on a pike.
This is a lesson that a secretive woman named Erika is learning the hard way.
A week ago, Erika decided it would be fun to start taking pictures of people on the T and slap them on a Facebook page called Boston T People. Soon, other riders got in on the act, emailing Erika shots to post on her site. It’s hardly surprising that not everyone thought the pictures—many of people during their craziest or most depressing moments—were funny. Let’s be clear. We’re talking about moments like these:
Photos via Boston T People on Facebook
It wasn’t long until Erika starting receiving threats to her and her family from a slim percentage of respondents. While there is no way to condone harming or threatening to harm this woman—who thought it would be hilarious to exploit people by posting pictures of obese people, old people, sleeping people, and people bursting out of humorously age-inappropriate outfits—it’s ironic and little bit annoying that Erika wants to keep her identity a secret. In a recent interview with WBZ, she hid her identity by asking the television news station not to reveal her last name or broadcast her face due to safety concerns.
MBTA officials say the photos and website are legal but hope she treats people with respect. Doesn’t it seem a little hypocritical to post photos of people, many at embarrassing moments, without letting everyone see what you, the antagonist, look like? I’m not saying she needs to fork over her social security number and ATM pin, but shouldn’t we at least get to see her? Look her dead in the digital eye and judge her, too? The same way she posts photos of strangers for the whole world to judge?
On her site, Erika says, “Don’t take this too seriously. If you do not like this, then don’t look. Sorry if you are on here.”
The apology is a nice touch. Erika has said she is willing to take down the photo of anyone who contacts her to complain, but has plans to move her Facebook page to its own independent website, where she will continue posting photos of unwilling, disgruntled, and partially-naked MBTA passengers.
I think a little quid pro quo is needed. If anyone has a picture of Erika, please send it in, preferably one where she’s passed out or wearing an ill-fitting outfit, and of course, taken without her permission or knowledge.
At the very least, it’d be nice to know what she looked like just so I can see her coming and make sure that my halter-top and Daisy Dukes are in order.
