Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

“At least your new hair cut screams, ‘Guys in trucks bark and howl now.'”

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“In this country we tend to be proud of the fact that we don’t cover “our” women in burkas. But, as bell hooks said — whether it’s obvious or subtle, oppression is oppression. Ubiquitously practiced sex-based public harassment is a form of oppression that we tolerate as women and cultivate as a society to our net detriment. This is a social injustice that undermines our most lofty claims about what America represents.”

Artist and writer Soraya Chemaly penned this in her recent powerful Huffington Post piece, “Street Harassment is Everywhere; What do We Tell Our Daughters?”

Her article is spot on and speaks to the way street harassment limits women’s equality with men and makes public places less safe for us, and acknowledges that this is a messed up thing to have to tell our daughters.

Last week I had the good fortune to chat with her about street harassment. One thing we discussed is how humor can be an effective tool for raising awareness about street harassment. Since Soraya is a witty and creative feminist as well as an excellent writer, over the weekend she cooked up a cartoon. Watch and share it widely! The transcript is below.

Friend 1:

Good morning. Are you going to work dressed like that?

Friend 2:

Is it obvious? I’m practically begging some random dude in the coffee shop to tell me I have a luscious ass. That way I can make a fake phone call while I wait for my coffee and he can call me a stuck up dyke. It’s a great way to start the day.

Friend 1:

It’s so nice out. Are you sure that’s what you want? Look at me. I’m wearing my Nice Tits dress.

Friend 2:

I did try on my How-Much-Baby skirt but then I’d probably just get a quiet dick flash on the bus.

Friend 1:

Yeah, but, at least your new hair cut screams, “Guys in trucks bark and howl now.”  They might even stop and offer you a ride. You could save on bus fare!

Friend 2:

I want to mix it up a bit, like when you lost all that weight last year.

Friend 1:

I know, but I sort of miss the compliments I used to get. You know, it was nice to hear Fat Slut now and then. No one ever calls me Thin Slut.

Friend 2:

You sound like my mom.  She was at the grocery store in her vintage dumb bitch jacket yesterday and all she got was some guy grabbing her butt.  He didn’t say a word.

Friend 1:

Aging sucks.  Your Where’s-my-smile-baby coat might lift her spirits.

Friend 2:

My sister borrowed it. You know how much she likes flirting with guys she doesn’t know by not smiling at them and averting her eyes. It is so her. Before I forget, could I borrow a hair bow?

Friend 1:

Sure, why do you need a hair bow?

Friend 2:

I’m on air today doing a live broadcast. The anchor, you know, what’s his name, always says I’m gods-gift-to-men and so I thought a bow would be a nice touch.

Friend 1:

No problem. It’s in my sports bag wrapped up in the gym clothes I wear to get guys to help me when I’m exercising. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

Friend 2:

Forget how to lift things probably. I’m so glad to know you got some come hither sweaty gross guy spandex.  Have to run.

Friend 1:

Have a great day!

Friend 2:

I will, you too!

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Huffington Post Covers Street Harassment

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Big name media sources don’t often cover the problem of gender-based sexual harassment, or street harassment, so it is a big deal that the Huffington Post ran the story “When Hollered At, HollaBack!” today.

Here’s an excerpt and I encourage you to check it out in its entirety:

“Whatever the time of day or activity, many women have become accustomed to unwarranted gender-based street harassment. Unwanted cat-calls and even groping — or worse — are almost customary as we go about our daily lives in public environments.

While at times sounding harmless or even deceptively flattering — “Bless you for that body,” “I’m gonna take you home, beautiful” — any single experience of unsolicited commentary or behavior can be rife with racial, ethnic, gender and other implications that are the opposite of positive. Understanding these kinds of experiences as harassment is key at both individual and larger levels.

Without that vocabulary, behavior that is, in fact, unacceptable can become a normalized, daily occurrence, and alter the way we think about our self-esteem and personal safety. Ultimately, street harassment can transform the way we as women walk, dress, commute and live — such that our worldviews assume objectification and disrespect as status quo.

For many, gender-based street harassment has become unexceptional, yet the majority of people have not yet figured out an appropriate response to it.”

Exactly right! She then highlights the great work of my colleagues at Holla Back DC! and Holla Back NYC and their efforts to combat the problem. Congrats, ladies!

Don’t forget, if you don’t live somewhere with an active Holla Back, share your story on this blog via an anonymous online form.

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