Not going to lie, the NSW Police Force Facebook page rubs me the wrong way. There’s something about using ~~~dank memez~~~ to try and whitewash the image of an organisation that’s increasingly militarised, most of which are cringey at best and downright disgusting at worst.
But even then, this post – where the NSW Police Force rewrites the lyrics of ‘Single Ladies’ to become a cautionary tale about how women can avoid assault – seems to hit a new low.
Why
The Facebook post, published yesterday, reads:
All the single ladies,
(All the single ladies),
Now put your hands up,Up on your phone, surfing apps alone,
Doing your own little thing,
You’ve decided to swipe, have a super like,
Now someone’s asking to meet,
Keep yourself safe (safe),
Tell a friend your meeting place (place),
‘Cause it’s only worth it if you’re okay,
You can’t be playing with safety
Firstly, the post continues the myth that women need to take all the responsibility for their own safety instead of men needing to change their behaviour.
Secondly, the police using the music of a woman of colour to promote itself when they disproportionately target communities of colour is gross.
Lastly, it’s just a bad rewrite? Trying to sound it out to the actual rhythm of ‘Single Ladies’ just gets you stuck about mid-way.
@ NSW Police: no
Some of the more recent comments have called out the post for its victim-blaming nature, with comments like, “Ladies shouldn’t be having to make themselves safer – men need to stop being rapists,” and “All the victim blamers, all the victim blamers “, which is a way better rewrite, to be honest.
Will this stop the NSW Police Force from posting stale memes in a desperate bid to stay relevant?
Unfortunately, probably not.