The first time a man hollered at me in the street
i was barely 13
and managed a few lungfuls of air before freezing in terror
but thought
i might be beautiful
the second time a man hollered at me in the street
he told me to smile
and i did, with a lump in my throat
because i have been taught to please others
and i thought
i might be beautiful
the third time a man hollered at me in the street
telling me he’d like to suck my pussy
i felt so much more than i could explain
and blamed myself
but thought
i might be beautiful
the fourth time a man hollered at me in the street
i learned this is how men act
and i forgave
because i have been taught to forgive
and i thought
i might be beautiful
the fifth time a man hollered at me in the street
his gaze like a heat-seeking missile
i was so conscious of my body
in public space
it felt like a battleground
– for him, a playground
and his approval filled me with shame
and i no longer
wanted to be beautiful
just sure-footed and militant
shouting back
F**K YOU!
– Michelle Ryder
Location: USA
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.
