My alarm had gone off for the fifth time and I was just
about to hit snooze again before I groggily realized it was 10:30 am. My 10am class was well underway and it would take me at least 45 minutes to get to
Columbus Circle. I threw on a hoodie, some ill-fitting jeans and my workout
shoes rushing out of the door.
Right before the train station, there was a man standing
outside of the apartment building. He was looking up at the building talking to
someone hanging out of the window. I looked up in the direction then proceeded to
carry on with my run/walk towards the station. As I passed him he licked his
lips and said, “if you weren't rushing off to work, I’d stuff my dick in you.” My
mouth nearly hit the floor, but his statement only helped me walk faster. I ran
down the steps, slid my metro and hopped on the arriving train.
This is only one of many experiences I have had walking down
the streets of New York. This week a video was published of a young woman receiving
endless catcalls from men on NYC streets she walked for 10 hours. The young
woman did as most of us do, she kept her eyes on where she was headed and didn't
say a word. Some of the cat-callers expressed anger at her for ignoring their
compliments while one man followed her for 5 minutes.
Watching the video I couldn't help but wonder, “Is this supposed to be groundbreaking?”
I’m not the most well-traveled person in the world, but I can
tell you that New York City men are one of the most aggressive breeds in the
United States. They have no issues with expressing how they feel about you and
your wardrobe without any filter. The experience I had mentioned before is one
of maybe a hundred occurrences I have had while simply walking down a block. I
know that when I plan on going out with friends and I decide to “show my stuff”
a little I am going to hear something from someone on the street.
No matter what there is one point to be made from this: some
men are completely unaware of how to use their brains. It is fine to think
whatever you want about the beautiful woman that walked by you on the street
and keep that shit to your goddamn self. It should not be a woman’s fault that
she decided to “look good” today so she has to just deal with your comments. There
are nuisances to oppression and this is another representation of that. Women
are oppressed by the male gaze.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe anything will be done. This
video will make its rounds throughout the media, and I will still have to warn
my friends about catcalls when we plan a girl’s night in the city.
Watch The Daily Show version here:
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