I got catcalled twice today in a total of less than two minutes on the street, in the exact same location. The first man at first greeted me, but then said I was beautiful. When I didn’t respond, he followed me, repeating that I’m beautiful. I told the first man that he should not comment on the physical appearance of random people on the street. He retorted that I can’t say things like that to people, which I found odd after he just objectified me. I was walking a half block from my car to my gym. Then on my way back after my workout, a man in a group of construction workers in the very same spot leered at me and said, ʺI would love to marry you.ʺ I replied, ʺDisgusting,ʺ and received no retort.
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If every woman who got one of these comments could just express her opinion of what it is: disgusting. If every catcall a man ever dished out was answered with a, “DISGUSTING!” I bet they would stop. But it has to be every single one. If I am a bystander to a catcall, I also give my opinion then, but not in an effort to protect the victim, but just to let them know that even witnessing such an act is offensive to all around.
– Emily Wilkinson
Location: 14th & H St NE, Washington, DC, USA
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