One of the consequences of street harassment I hate is that I can feel myself tensing up and putting on my "angry" face when I'm walking down the street and passing a man (or group of men) that I'm afraid might say something harassing to me. I hate that I do this. I hate that I can't just say "hello" back to someone because I am afraid of showing any acknowledgement (or God forbid, interest) because then I'll just be opening up myself to more harassment (because as always, it's my fault. Right?).
Speaking of it being my fault, I am sure I'm not the only woman that after being harassed on the street thinks "Well, maybe if I weren't wearing my tight jeans that wouldn't have happened." Or "Maybe my lipstick makes me look like I'm trying too hard and is drawing too much attention." And I FREAKING HATE THAT I QUESTION THIS AND BLAME MYSELF. Luckily, I can catch my blame and think "No, this is not my fault at all. I deserve to walk down the street WEARING WHATEVER I WANT TO and still feel safe and respected."
Street harassment has really been on my mind lately, because it impacts my life almost daily. And it leaves me feeling completely powerless with no idea how to change it. My plan at this point is to come up with a stock response, like "Your objectification of me is completely inappropriate and offensive." Again though..... I hate that I have to think about what to say to street harassers. And honestly I'm angry that men don't have to worry about this (and please don't misunderstand me to be saying that I wish street harassment would happen to men - I just really wish it wouldn't happen to anybody). I think that's gotta be part of why some men don't think it's a big deal, because they don't understand how unsafe and dirty it makes women feel.
What do you think? Women, how do you respond to street harassment? Men, have you ever been with another guy and seen him harass a woman? What did you do and how did it make you feel?
