It doesn’t matter what time it is or what you’re wearing…there is no excuse for being harassed.
Its it 7:20 a.m. on April 16th, it is unusually cold and I am dressed warmly. As I walk the two blocks to the train station at Flatbush-Brooklyn College…I hear a man shouting at me from the driver side of a car. “Damn baby, I would love to drive that ass to work, mmm…damn you pretty” he said while slowing down to follow my pace. I have to be honest, I am a born and bred New Yorker and for the most part I ignore most commentary.
Not today I thought, as I replied back, “That’s rude and unwanted…drive your car asshole.”
He ignored me and kept on. “I would love to drive that fine ass to work, come on baby…let me drop you at work.”
I ignored him and walked briskly, only turning slightly to see him trailing me. This is where my speedy walk turned into a hop skip. Quite often my boyfriend of five years with whom I live will good-naturedly lecture me about the importance of being aware of your surroundings and not traveling alone late at night. This one of those moments where there is no “what you could have done better/differently.” I cannot be expected to be escorted to and from the train station like a child.
I have lived in my neighborhood for two years and with this incident occurring directly outside of my co-op…How can I be anymore aware?
There is no cop out, there is excuse, and there is no fault of mine.
Do you have any suggestions for dealing with harassers and/or ending street harassment in general?
Do not allow yourself to become a part of the “there is nothing I can do party.” Yes you can, step 1 is telling friends, family, Facebook your blog etc, that this kind of behavior should not and will not be tolerated. Step 2 is to realize that is not your job as a woman to act as entertainment for men and that they can/should control themselves and you are not at fault.
– PR
