By Caterina Hrysomallis and Ellen Seah.
The backs of RMIT’s bathroom doors hold arguments, quotes and some rather interesting conversations– City Journal takes a look at some of them.
The earliest cave paintings on Earth are found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, dating back to about 40,000 years ago. This prehistoric practice has morphed and can be found at RMIT’s city campus– on the backs of the weathered, squeaky, bathroom doors living in Building 8.
The entertaining scriptures found in the building’s level five bathrooms could explain why there is often a line for the toilets. It’s easy to get carried away reading everything.
You’ll find everything from inspirational quotes, bible verses and movie recommendations, to lines about sex, sovereignty and transgender women.
Some extend into conversations, progressing with every bathroom visit– some get rather controversial, sometimes nasty.
Here are some favourites from the chatty cubicles:
‘Be like Daria.’
‘Words to live by.’
’85 per cent of starving children live in countries where grain is sold to Western countries to feed cows.’
‘It’s harder to lose someone that’s still alive.’
‘Be like water flow with change.’
‘We rise by lifting others.’
‘Falling in love the second time sucks (I’m scared).’
‘I’m in here bc I have no friends.’
‘I’ll be your friend.’
‘The Butterfly Foundation #1800 334 673. Please call for help.’
‘Sovereignty was never ceded, no treaty was ever signed AUSTRALIA IS STOLEN LAND.’
‘Is it horrible to be a virgin when you are 26?’
‘Guys will appreciate you more than a slut.’
‘A girl who is not a virgin??’
‘Get fucked and stop slut shaming.’
‘Virginity is a social construct to shame and oppress women, and this statement perpetuates this terrible misogyny. OP you are a good and valued person regardless of how much sex you have or hadn’t had. Go at your own pace- it’s OK to have sex at whatever age you feel comfortable, and it’s OK to never have sex. Love and solidarity.’
‘Thanks so sweet.’
‘Break down or break through?’
‘WATCH CONSPIRACY.’
‘”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11’
‘Thank you, I NEEDED THIS TODAY GOD BLESS YOU.’
‘Don’t suffer in silence.’
City Journal does not condone graffiti on private property, but while it’s there we may as well appreciate it.
