By: Erin McKelle, SSH Correspondent
Street Harassment happens largely because of sexism. Street Harassment itself is gender-based, meaning that the context it occurs in is filled with dynamics that are shaped by gender. The power differences between men and women ultimately create the circumstances that make street harassment a reality. Both men and women have been told time and time again that women’s bodies are men’s to enjoy and to take pleasure in, no matter if they like it or not. After all, if you have a ‘sexy’ body or wear ‘slutty’ clothing, then men are going to ogle and according to our culture that is perfectly acceptable. We don’t see it as a problem because we largely don’t see patriarchy and gender power disparities as problems. As a society, we don’t seem to understand that how we teach and allow men to act towards women (in both public and private spaces) is wrong and the opposite of equality.
The sexism that comes into play with street harassment is based in our perception of sexuality (both male and female). Women are told that they must dress in non-provoking ways that they must always be on alert to avoid danger and be prepared to face violence. They must not go out by themselves late at night, that they must carry pepper spray in their purses that they must keep their guard. Men are told that women are sex objects, that commenting (especially in rude or crude ways) on women’s appearances and bodies is perfectly fine and even a way to assert their masculinity. Men are not taught to be afraid of public spaces.
This paradigm of fear that is then instilled in women but not in men is behind street harassment. These differing messages create the complex social atmosphere that allows for street harassment to exist. The sexism comes from how our society tells men and women how they are ‘allowed’ to behave, this schism being a significant one.
Arguably, we won’t end street harassment until we end sexism. That is why the feminist movement is so important and integral to creating a better world for people of every gender. Until we address the power dynamics that exist between men and women in public spaces, we will never really fully understand or get to the root of why street harassment happens. Embracing feminism and thinking and acting critically and addressing gender roles and norms is at the heart of ending street harassment.
In recent news, Marvel has released t-shirts to promote the Avenger’s comic book series that are relaying this societal message that women should be passive and men aggressive. As you can see here, the t-shirt made for boys says ‘Be a Hero’ and the girls’ version says ‘I Need A Hero’. Obviously, this is sending both boys and girls the wrong message about heroism and gender identity. After all, girl’s can be heroes too!
These shirts are also implying that girls need to be rescued and saved by men (and ironically, from men). It’s time that we stop victimizing girls and empowering only boys and that we allow girls to explore the roles of being active, heroic, and courageous and brave that society seems to designate for boys only.
In response to this, I created a petition through Change.org asking Marvel to stop making these sexist t-shirts. I want to see a world where boys and girls are empowered to be heroes equally and not one where girls are told that they need to be saved by a hero…and that they cannot be heroes themselves. If you want to also make this a reality, I would encourage you to sign the petition and share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Through actions like this, we can work to end the sexism that causes, among other things , street harassment.
Update: Thanks to lots of online activism in response to the sexist t-shirts, the “I Need a Hero” shirt is no longer available on the Disney Store website.
Erin is an e-activist and blogger based in Ohio. You can find more of her work here and here.
