Let's get one thing straight immediately: catcalling is never okay.

It wasn't okay when my high school volleyball teammates and I were whistled and hollered at by men in cars as we ran before practice along the busy road by our school.

It wasn't okay when I was fifteen walking to a scholarship reception and a drunk man walked in front of me and tried to talk to me before my mom realized what was about to happen, yanked me out of his path, and yelled at him.

It wasn't okay when my best friend texted me a few days ago freaked out because a man had just yelled "hey baby" as he drove by her while she was on a run.

Therefore I repeat: catcalling is never okay.

When things like this happen I get angry because I can't understand why anyone would think that that kind of behavior is okay. I can't understand why anyone would excuse such behavior as a complement for the woman being catcalled.

Then I remember that women have been treated as property for ages. I remember that catcalling and similar disrespectful behaviors toward women are excused as just "boys being boys" and written off "locker room talk." I remember how many women are afraid to stand up for themselves when these things happen for fear of being heckled further or accused of "asking for it" based on their dress or actions. I remember that even though women have made and continue to make strides toward equality, we still have a long way to go due to sexist behaviors that have been normalized in our culture.

When my best friend was catcalled last week, I told her I was sorry it happened. I couldn't tell her that it won't happen to her again, though. I know it will happen to me again. I can't pretend that it won't happen someday to my younger sisters, little cousin, my future students, and my future daughters. That fact bothers me more than I can express in words.

How do we make it stop?