Today, three days after the explosion in Chelsea, NYC, I had an appointment on 23rd Street right across from where the bomb went off. There were cops everywhere today. As I exited the 23rd Street station there were four male cops standing on the stairway leading out of the subway talking to one another. Two on each side. As I got almost to the top of the stairs, one of the cops said, “Good morning”, but not in the tone where someone is genuinely wishing you a good morning. It was in the tone that meant something else entirely. It even had that inflection that suggested I owed him a reply. The other three just went quiet as I kept going. I was so annoyed that at a time when people are still somewhat on edge, the people that are supposed to be there to keep us safe make us feel just the opposite.
Of all the street harassment I experienced, I don’t want to have to add police officers to the list of people to avoid. In the larger scope of things it’s nothing compared to the reasons other people have to fear the police, but it’s just another way we are constantly made to feel unsafe in public spaces.
– Ali
Location: New York City, NY
Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.
