“Good morning! Isn’t it a beautiful day to be a woman? It’s time to get up and go about your business doing lady things, but you can’t do that it your pyjamas – you need some clothes! “

So begins an Internet game created by Alyson Macdonald in Scotland. You choose what you want to wear and where you’re going, but… then see what happens as you try to go about your day as a woman (hint: street harassment).

She kindly wrote to me about the game and where the idea for it came from —

The original idea came to me after reading an article about some ridiculous internet games about hair care and facials that are aimed at women. The idea of “women’s interests” – in magazines, games, or anything else – really annoys me because it lumps all women together as a homogeneous group who are only interested in gender stereotyped activities.

The women I know aren’t like that. Yes, some of my friends do enjoy having their nails done or own a huge collection of eye make-up, but that’s one tiny part of who they are. So I decided on a whim that I wanted to parody these games about Lady Things with a game about experiences which are common to most women.

The idea of making an unwinnable game about sexual harassment pretty much appeared in my head fully formed, and even though I’d never actually made a game before, this idea made me want to give it a go. I did a bit of online research and discovered a piece of software called Twine, then a couple of days later I was releasing my first game on the internet.

The reactions so far have mostly been positive, from both feminists and indie game enthusiasts (and the two aren’t mutually exclusive). A couple of anti-feminists have left comments telling me to “man up” and stop treating women as if we’re too delicate to cope with being catcalled or groped. But I’m not saying that women can’t cope with harassment, what I’m saying is that we shouldn’t have to.

Alyson Macdonald lives in Edinburgh and has been a feminist since the day she heard a teacher explain what the word means. She is a co-editor of the blog Bright Green and tweets as @textuallimits.

Awesome Virginia high school student Julia Romero wrote a song about street harassment for an English class project this year. She sent it to me and has given me permission to share it with all of you!

She answered a few questions for me about her project and then the lyrics are pasted below that.

Thanks for your great work, Julia, and for using humor and your musical talents to bring more attention to the widespread problem of street harassment!

INTERVIEW:

SSH: What inspired you to write a song about street harassment?

Julia: For starters, I didn’t really know what street harassment was. After researching it, I realized that this topic wasn’t really going to be as well liked as other projects. My school, Central High School, isn’t in my opinion as well educated on this topic of harassment. I wanted to make my project educational but also more appealing to the fellow students. I thought a funny song was the way to do it. I wanted to give my peers more then the typical don’t street harass preaching.

SSH: What kind of responses have you gotten from people who’ve heard your song?

Julia: When I sang my song for the class, it was very interesting. As I was going up to sing people were quiet as if waiting for me. It was funny. I think they were expecting more of a lecturing song. When they realized it was a funny and not a hymn, they opened up and laughed. Afterwards, they began to ask me questions and most didn’t even know of the topic. The boys might have been a bit defensive but all in all, the song was a success.

SSH: What suggestions would you have for people your age who want to do something about street harassment, too?

Julia: I would suggest people my age to become more educated on harassment. Knowledge is something that is lacking. For those who want to do something about it, have courage! Listen to the annoying voice in your head pushing you to do something! Just go for it! Stand up for others and educate as you go. Contact female activists! Asking for help is never a crime.

LYRICS:

The Street Her-Ass-Men Song

Written By: Julia Romero

 

Male Perspective: Verse 1

Hey Baby

Nice Booty

I would tap dat all day long

Good morning sexy

I like your body

Be cat calling you from my car

 

Male Perspective: Pre-Chorus

Cuz you got it going on

And I’m turning oh so on

Girl you make me feel like I’m in control of you

But what you probably don’t know

If you ignore me little ho

Then I’ll dare put my hands on you

Don’t stand a chance against me

 

Chorus

Street Her-Ass-Men are real

You need to be prepared

Know what’s out there

You need to care

No matter if you’re black, tan or white

Whether you’re rich or not quite

You need to care

You need to be aware

 

Female Perspective: Verse 2

He just talked to me said

Girl, you got a nice booty

And I kind of felt flattered

I guess I needed the boost

But then he

Stayed right there

I guess I didn’t really want here

Just shake off the feeling

He will leave

 

Female Perspective: Pre-Chorus

Where’s my daddy where’s my bro

Did he just call me a ho

Boy you make me feel like I’m in danger

I thought just a comment couldn’t hurt

But why do I feel like such dirt

Please just stay away but hey

What are you doing touching my legs

 

Chorus

Street Her-Ass-Men are real

You need to be prepared

Know what’s out there

You need to care

No matter if you’re black, tan or white

Whether you’re rich or not quite

You need to care

You need to be aware

 

Female Perspective: Bridge

You see a comment can lead

To a lot of other things

So if you like random guys

Coming up and treating you to flattery

Wake up to reality

Fight against brutality

Stop future fatality

Of street her-ass-men

 

You need to be aware