I was walking/running to the bus stop to go to campus for classes. I had my yoga mat under one arm; I’m taking yoga to fulfill my university’s Health & Wellness credit. A middle-aged man standing with two others (one man, one woman) calls out to me, “Oooo girl, body lookin’ ready for yoga class” to which I gave a quick reply with my middle finger. Then I hear this: “Yeah, watch what I do to you and that finger bitch”. I look back and see his friends, including the woman, laughing. It was infuriating. It was dehumanizing. It was pure disrespect and sounded like a barely-veiled rape threat.
I began carrying a knife in my bag the next day.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
From childhood onward, teach respect for all people in the home, schools, government, everywhere. Teach fathers to raise sons who won’t grow up thinking it’s okay to yell/whisper intimidating things at women. Street harassment is not and never was about “complimenting” women. It’s about silencing them.
– Emma
Location: Walking to a bus stop
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea.
