as a woman who’s lived in major cities, i’m no stranger to street harassment.
actually, you can take out the “who’s lived in major cities” bit. woman is enough of a prerequisite.
i’ve experienced a wide variety of catcalls, profane comments about my body or appearance, whistles and noises, commands to “smile” or “say thank you.”
it fucking sucks.
this morning i pulled out a royal blue dress i hadn’t worn in a while, because it’s friday and i’m doing me. i threw on some high-heeled wedges cause i was feeling fancy.
on my walk to the bart station, i ignored a few guffaws (“oh look at that blue”) and snide remarks (“dayuuuuum. mmm.”)
i got off bart, and walked by the homeless man who’s always sitting at the bottom of the escalator viciously shaking his cup at anyone who passes by.
he usually doesn’t say anything to me except ask for some change.
today was different.
today he opened his mouth and let out a low, guttural “oh wow, beautiful” that immediately made my insides roll up.
only a few more steps to the escalator.
i kept walking, picking up the pace slightly.
then he started clapping at me. loud, forceful, claps, rivaling the pace and intensity with which i was walking to get away from him.
i’d never been clapped at before.
i snapped.
turned around and barked “are you fucking kidding me?!”
usually i stay quiet. try to zen and woo-sah and rise above.
today was different.
so tell me, ladies. how do you deal with this shit? feel free to leave a note or respond below ❤
