Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

Pioneer Motors Street Harassers

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diennastreetharassersaug09I was in Arlington, VA, last Wednesday, and while walking down Lee Highway two men who were sitting across the street in front of Pioneer Motors wolf whistled at me. When I turned to look at them they started smiling and waving. I was furious.

“No! Do you see me smiling? That’s not cute, that’s tacky! Don’t do that to me or any other woman who walks by again!”

When I pulled out my camera (from a safe distance across the street) they got quieter than it’s kept and the grins were wiped off their faces. I didn’t have the energy to report them to their employers (I deal with this nonsense too often), but I feel my yelling at them was enough.

-Anonymous

Location: Across the street from Pioneer Motors, 2510 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA

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Jamaican Harrasser in White Jeep

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There is an Uno’s Restuarant in Brockton, MA, next to the West Gate Mall. This is where I had the displeasure of meeting “the black man”.

I had gotten out of work and wanted to get something to eat at the Uno’s. They weren’t open yet, so I sat down on a bench, took out my notebook and started to draw. A moment later, a black man with long dreads and a very Jamaican accent pulled in a big white Jeep and called to me through the passenger window,

“Hey! Wanna buy a black man dinner?!”

I made the mistake of looking up and answering,

“No.”

“Aw, come on baby, why not?”

“Becuase I don’t have the money.”

“It’s because I’m black, isn’t it? Come on, baby, don’t you love black men?”

I am a lesbian, but I didn’t want to tell him that. So I answered,

“My boyfriend is meeting me here.”

“And he a white boy?”

“He’s Indian. Leave me alone.”

To my relief, he drove away, but as I watched, I learned that he had not given up. Instead, he turned around and pulled up so he could talk to me through the driver’s window. I was getting scared, and the restaurant was still closed, so I had no place to go and no one to help me.

“Baby, you beautiful,” he went on to say, “I love white women. I would worship you like the goddess you are, baby. I would buy you things, I would love you better than your boyfriend. Come on, baby, let me worship you!”

I told him again, NO firmly, and he seemed to accept it. He drove off, and as soon as he did, I heard the resturant door’s unlock. I ran in and told the hostess there that there was a black man in a white jeep harrassing me, and to be careful. She offered to call for the police, but I decided I needed to leave the area. Thanking her, I left quickly and ran to my car and drove home, all the time looking around me to make sure I wasn’t being followed.

This was almost too terrifying to believe, because he was in a big car, and I was out of mine in front of a restaurant with no one around. Anything could have happened.

– anonymous

Location: Brockton, MA

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CVS Creep in Philly

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I live in Philadelphia, PA, and when I walk to the CVS, there is this one guy who always, always always, whenever he sees me, goes, “Hey beautiful, how’s it going?” It creeps me the hell out! His tone is predatory and since I see him in on this one block on the way to the store about every other week (not in the winter, just in spring/summer and maybe fall, but less frequently then), I’ve been too scared to say anything. I live close by and don’t want him following me! Every time I think about it, I think about how I’m going to tell him to fuck himself, or I’m going to get the cop that’s usually by the CVS to do something or something––but I never do. I just walk by, eyes straight ahead. And feel like shit for letting him make me feel like prey.

-anonymous

Location: Philadelphia, PA

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Lexington, MA, Truck Driver

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I was in Lexington, MA, for a job interview, and I was early enough to get a bite to eat at the local McDonald’s. I opted to eat in my car, engine off, doors locked. It was the middle of the day, not late at all.

As I was eating, I noticed a white or Hispanic man across the parking lot, standing next to a big, white distribution truck, and he was staring at me intently. I looked away but kept my attention on him to be careful.

After a few minutes, he started to call to me with ‘hey’ over and over again. He just stared and motioned to me to come out of my car. I didn’t. I decided I was tired of him, and drove out of the parking lot.

As I stopped at the red light, I noticed the white truck exiting the parking lot as well, and coming straight for me. I dashed off into the road I needed, and hid myself down an obscure street to avoid being found. Thankfully I did not see him again, but I can say that I was extremely shaken up about the entire thing and wanted to cry. I felt so helpless and trapped in my own car.

– J.L.

Location: Lexington, MA

Share your street harassment story today and help raise awareness about the problem. Include your location and it will be added to the Street Harassment Map.

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Hello, my name isn’t cutie …

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Over the weekend I did a lot of research for my book on street harassment. Previously I’d read about and interviewed an activist who helped with the INCITE! DC anti-street harassment day of action in 2006 in Washington, DC,  but yesterday I was excited to stumble across some great photos from the event. Here are a few:

INCITE! DC collage

Included in the comment thread of that post was this image.

While I think writing in one’s name could be problematic because then harassers may repeat it ceaselessly, I like the overall idea and I think leaving the name part blank would convey the same message. Would you wear one?

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