Having chosen to come to a school in an urban setting, I never thought being verbally harassed on the way to class could ever feel so dehumanizing. Walking down the street includes being yelled and hollered at, whistled at and even honked at. Although some women find it empowering, other women, like myself, can’t help but feel scared, uncomfortable, embarrassed, annoyed, objectified and the list goes on. It is not because we have insecurities or because we are don't like to take compliments, because that’s the thing: catcalls are NOT compliments.
Compliments are usually things that are said to boost someone’s mood and make them feel good about themselves. It can be, “Your hair looks so good,” or even, “I like your outfit,” whereas catcallers make comments about your butt, breasts and other physical parts. What makes these comments worse is hearing them from randoms roaming the streets.
Despite the constant efforts of raising awareness from present-day feminists, the issue of catcalling and unwanted attention has not seemed to change. These catcallers do not care what the person they’re catcalling thinks and feels. They are trying to prove who is in charge, who is dominating. Subtly reminding women on the street that it’s a man’s world and that they are just living in it.
When responding to one of these catcalls, the return response is hostile and ending in a complete insult. He takes back the compliment and in return calls you a “b***h,” “dumb,” or even “ugly.” This is when women start feeling unsafe and catcalling becomes most frightening. These comments are hurtful and are seen as control and entitlement.
Why do men do this in the first place? No girl in her right mind would give a complete stranger harassing her any time of day. These comments don’t leave women feeling pretty or wanted; it’s demeaning.
It’s hard to walk alone, scared and constantly feeling the need to check over your shoulder to make sure no one is following you. It is almost disgusting how they find it entertaining to sexually harass a person.
We are NOT asking for it. Our physical appearance and attire should not provoke someone to express any sexual innuendoes or other inappropriate things. These comments are far from confidence-boosting; in fact, females will find confidence in a positive and fulfilling way on their own. A random stranger's nasty sayings do not validate anyone’s sense of worth.
A woman’s first catcall is definitely not her last. It serves as a constant reminder for what is in store for the future. We need to be aware. It is obvious that there is no way to completely prevent these catcalls from happening; however, there is a way to acknowledge the issue. It is key to educate the younger generations that street and sexual harassment is never okay, and never will be. Respect should be given to anyone, at any time, and at any place no matter what she is wearing or looks like. It is time to change the way we communicate and interact with each other in public. It is time to stop calling this complimentary and flattering and call it what it really is: objectifying, degrading and dehumanizing.
