Interview with Anonymous Bathroom Christian

Anonymous Bathroom Christian, tell us a bit about yourself!

Hello! I’m a student here at Flinders Uni, halfway through my degree. I put up posters and memes around campus that speak to current political and social topics from a Christian perspective. I got my name from a fellow uni student who wrote a heated response to my poster about feminism in the girls’ bathroom. I was referred to as the ‘anonymous bathroom Christian’ and I thought that was quite creative. I’m a baker at heart, always sharing my cakes with friends and talking about said current topics to learn how different people think. I’m particularly intrigued by the visible shift in culture and how that infuences politics and is infuenced by politics. I love Christ because He frst loved me.

So, when did you start creating these posters and why?

The things I put up around campus touch on topics that I think are important to have a Christian perspective speak out on. I’ve talked on topics of feminism, role of men, role of women, myths of women in the Bible, vaccines, media, government and salvation. Previous to uni, I had thought that there was a culture crisis which led into a wider societal breakdown and political corruption, partly driven by lack of self-refection and moral role models. When I came to uni two years ago, I could see this to be the case. I noticed how everyone was concerned about developing their career, but not necessarily their character. The reason I began putting posters up was because of the lack of the Christian voice on campus encouraging this good moral character. Yes, we have a few uni clubs but in terms of advertising Biblical values while addressing current social and political topics, the game was weak. I felt a calling to be that voice. Being a woman, I think I felt a particular role to play when speaking about feminism and encouraging men to be proper leaders. I was terrifed to say something because of the possible backlash fuelled by anger. The only reason I was actually able to do it was because I knew God’s calling on my life was greater than my own and that He would protect me. I knew He could make me into something greater than I could. I trusted in Him and now I’m being interviewed by the Empire Times! Hallelujah!

You’ve mentioned that you are a woman – does this mean only those who use the women’s bathrooms get to see these posters?

It’s true, I don’t go into the boys bathroom. Thank goodness! But the posters I put in the girls bathroom aren’t necessarily girls bathroom-specifc. I put the same posters up around the campus too.

Some people simply don’t want to think about religion while peeing – do you think your methods might be a bit invasive?

I’m aware that people don’t want to think about religion while peeing because most people don’t want to think about religion ever. It’s the honest self-refection that comes with following Christ that I think people fear. As Christians, we have to admit how sinful and wrong we are and look at all the hurtful things we’ve done in our lives when we commit to Christ. That’s not to say it’s easy to do. I think, understandably and naturally, people don’t want to feel like they’ve done wrong or that what they love is wrong. I was scared of the horror that was my own life too. But this is the beauty of Christ; despite our wrong-doings, He can use them for good. We need only to repent of our sins, trust in Him and Jesus will help us to change our behaviour to that which is good, more righteous, more benefcial, more effective, positive and bares more fruit. He wants to do this because He loves us. He doesn’t want us to live in darkness, but turn to him who is the light.

We’re all about campus culture here at ET, so we were pretty delighted to hear from you. Do you think that having people like yourself, who serve a specifc function and become almost a ‘character’ in students minds help to build a sense of community amongst students?

Community, sure. Of what kind, I’m not sure. I do think this interview will help people understand the bigger picture to what I do and of the types of people that make up the Flinders community. I’d hope that I wouldn’t become a ‘character’ in people’s minds, though. I think that being thought of a ‘character’ takes away the human aspect of what I do and why I do it. I understand what I put up is not delighted by all, but my posters aren’t for those who disagree with me. They are for those who watch on the interaction between myself and the disagreers. These people are the ones who learn the most from my posters. This is what builds community. So those who like writing on my posters, keep it coming! I truly appreciate and enjoy what you have to say. Being able to have my voice amplifed in the Empire Times builds community too. It is honestly beyond what I thought possible in my life. I wanted to formally say thank you very much for the opportunity. 9

A Half-Hearted Defence of Amber Heard Words by Anonymous (don’t sue me!) Content Warning: Discussions of abusens

‘‘I saw how institutions protect men accused of abuse’’ ‘‘I became a public fgure representing domestic abuse’’ And ‘‘I spoke up against sexual violence’’.

These are the three sentences that Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for. At the end of the day, it was these three vague, and almost value-neutral, statements that allowed Depp to drag Heard into open court and humiliate her on the global stage. Michelle Goldberg characterises the DeppHeard trial as the ‘‘death of the Me-Too Movement’’, as it exemplifes just how easy it is for claims of abuse to be weaponised against the victim; for an abuser to turn around and say, ‘‘well, actually, I’m the real (and only) victim’’. This tactic is nothing new. This exact response actually has a name - ‘‘DARVO’’, short for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Ofender. The public’s reaction to this trial has been embroiled in rancid misogyny from the beginning. The world watched as Amber Heard’s ex-husband talked in vivid detail about murdering her and raping her corpse and paid mental health professionals to inappropriately broadcast psychiatric diagnoses in order to paint her as crazy woman. Not only did the world watch - it cheered, and survivors quietly took note. Only a year ago, Australia was shocked by the allegations brought forth by Brittany Higgins. We were outraged at her treatment and came together to provide her a voice and a platform. We questioned why her attacker had not been immediately named, and why he was being protected by the powers that be.

But the reason he wasn’t named was the same reason Depp used to drag Amber Heard to court – a man has the right to his reputation. Victoria Legal Aid describes defamation as ‘‘causing harm to a person’s reputation by publishing material about them that changes the way people feel about them’’; and in a civil court, it is incredibly difcult to prove a case of abuse against perpetrators. In 2015, a Western Australian court ordered a woman to pay $12,5000 to her ex-husband for posting on Facebook that he had been abusive towards her during their marriage. She, like Amber, was able to produce written apologies from him where he admitted to violence against her, but it did not matter. The outcome of the Depp-Heard case did not surprise me. To me, it came as the newest, and most infamous, addition to a long history of the courts serving as an avenue for abusers to further silence and control their victims. But for many, the precedent that this solidifes is not as evident. Depp may have won back his reputation and given his ex-wife the ‘‘global humiliation’’ he wished upon her but, publications everywhere also became just a little bit less willing to give survivors the space to tell their stories. So, ask yourself, is his reputation worth the silence that will follow?

Abusers’ rights to their reputations silences survivors

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION GALLERY

Back in issue 1 the editors at Empire Times asked you to send in your photos for our photography competition. We are proud to showcase a range of entries from Md Rajiul Huda Dipto, Anugrah Alex Paul, Laura Thompson, and Paddy Maddern. Congratulations to Harry Kellaway, who’s work is featured on the front and back covers as the winner of the competition. Thank you to everyone who entered, it is a pleasure to recieve and feature your work. Never stop creating.

MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Returning to home

MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Crowdy Sky.

MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Farmers are working in the feld and the rise of mills can be seen in the distance.

MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Children are working in the beach.

MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Refections of the boats.

PADDY MADDERN - Untitled

“This photograph was taken on a 1950 Ricohfex Model III TLR, on CineStill 50D flm stock. One afternoon when I was walking along the railway line in my town, I stumbled across this hidden tree house and thought the opportunity to take a photo was too good to pass up. The steps nailed into the tree and the rope to pull oneself up to a higher platform reminded me vividly of my childhood and I thought it was nice to see people in the community were building things like this in public space to be discovered by those observant enough. The imperfections in the lens of my old camera added more character I thought to the image and made it look more old-fashioned.” - Paddy Maddern

LAURA THOMPSON - Entangled Lives

ANUGRAH ALEX PAUL - Untitled