By: Erin McKelle, SSH Correspondent
I’ve seen a lot of beautiful, powerful street art that has been created to combat or raise awareness about street harassment. These pieces always really inspire me, because art is one of the most powerful tools we can use to reach and touch others. It’s something that connects each and one of us, because no matter where you come from, how old you are or what your circumstances are in life, everyone can appreciate and find delight in art. They say a picture is worth 1000 words and considering that art can touch you in a lot of ways words sometimes cannot, this couldn’t be truer!
Street art was a tactic utilized by many during this year’s Anti-Street Harassment Week! Hollaback! Melbourne took to the streets to do a chalk walk and fill the streets with messages and images against street harassment. Women in Cities International worked with young men and women to create t-shirts with slogans and art that spoke out against oppression. Hollaback! Sheffield held a “craftivism” session, where they created crafts, such as t-shirts and quilts that had messages or symbols revolving around stopping street harassment. The Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault hosted Art Against Sexual Violence workshops to have citizens create art that centers around anti-violence activism.
In addition to street art that was facilitated during Anti-Street Harassment Week, there are many other street artists and events that take place throughout the year whose message is one against street harassment. One such artist is Tatyana Fazlalizadeh who created posters with messages such as ,“My Name is Not Baby” and “Stop Telling Women to Smile” that she has posted around Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York. She’s been strategic in using her art to combat street harassment by hanging her posters in places where she herself has experienced street harassment.
““I’ve put them in places where I’ve personally been harassed, and where I know street harassment is prevalent–which, honestly is everywhere,” she adds. “So, I’ve placed them on mailboxes in downtown business areas, on abandoned buildings in residential areas, on spare walls in tourist areas. Anywhere I can.”
Design Action Collective, an activist group based in Oakland, California, was inspired by Tatyana’s art and on this year’s International Women’s Day created a poster campaign also speaking out against street harassment. “We felt that creating stickers and flyers people could post would help shift the power on our streets. Messages like “I didn’t ask for your opinion on my body” will not necessarily change a harasser’s attitude, but it would show those who experience harassment that we are not alone.”
The anti-street harassment activists in Hollaback! Philly have created a comic book entitled Hollaback: Red, Yellow, Blue that feature characters who face street harassment. The comic book even highlights male allies, when one of the male characters sees the negative effects of street harassment on women and then tries to decipher how to be an active bystander when he is witness to harassment.
Clearly, art is powerful and reaches people in a way that sometimes words can’t. Street art is reaching victims and harassers in the space where street harassment is happening. This is important and this can be significant in reaching people and helping those who may not understand street harassment understand it. Clearly, the art is simple and easy to understand and makes street harassment education very accessible. Street art is a part of anti-street harassment activism that is making a difference and it’s time that the artists’ voices are heard.
Erin is an e-activist and blogger based in Ohio. You can find more of her work here and here.
