Dear creepy (old) men,
Yes, you.
If you're not sure whether you fit the criteria, ask yourself whether you check out young women -- even tweens and teenagers -- when you're living your daily life. Do you look us up and down, checking out our bodies? As we walk down the street, does your head turn with us? Do you fantasize about sexual activity with us, who are often way too young for you? Then yes - you're a creepy (old) man.
You're literally everywhere: the supermarket, the airport, the streets, in restaurants, on construction sites, in hotels, at the gym, the pool, you name it. This is a letter on behalf of all women just trying to live our lives. We appreciate the fact that you want to show us attention, but we're all set, thanks.
Dear creepy men, you're the reason my grandma tells me to wear baggy clothing to the airport when I travel alone. But guess what? I don't feel like wearing baggy clothes. I'm happy with my body and comfortable in the clothes I want to wear, just like tons of other women. We shouldn't have to dress for safety, for fear of assault. If a woman is nude, she's still not asking for cat calls and whistles, nor is she asking for you to grab her ass. She's not asking for anything. Really.
You're the reason we feel we need to constantly pull our shorts down at the gym, or cover up our slightly revealing shirts (god forbid!) when walking down the street. One day, maybe, you'll learn to respect us, and young women won't be told to consider what they wear for fear of assault and judgement. That can't be so hard, can it?
In fact, I have a serious question. When you cat-call and whistle at us, what exactly are you expecting? Genuinly. Is it suppossed to be flattering? Are we supossed to be into it? We aren't trying to please you, nor are we asking for your validation (imagine that!). Believe it or not, we don't appreciate your constant scanning of our bodies like an animal sizing up its prey. We don't like it, and just a tip -- it really doesn't help you at all, either. Please stop.
This is from all the woman who want to go to the gym to workout, without the constant winks and body scans. This is from the women simply trying to shop for groceries without stalkers, or eat dinner without you slipping your number under the table (sometimes while you're out with another woman -- seriously?). This is from the women who just want to walk down the street without feeling like we're being sized up and devoured by your eyes. This is from the women who no longer want to serve as your sexual fix or fantasy for the day, but instead would like to be treated as humans.
Sincerely,
Women living life (and perfectly fine without you, thanks.)
