I was always very strong willed and opinionated when it came to harassment towards women. I never tolerated sexism and inequality towards the female gender. I guess you could say that I got more offended than the average girl – whatever that may be. I didn't realize how much I cared about this historic issue in our society until I reached college. Maybe it's overly protective and a little bit on the crazy side, and maybe it's kind of annoying... but I honestly don't care. I am protective, and I have all the right reasons to be.
Cat-calling. Sexual harassment. Stalking. Abuse. Stereotyping. Inappropriate and disrespectful language. Belittling (she was asking for it) and the term “that's woman’s work.” We've all seen at least one of these in action, or at least have heard of the names. But even though they exist, it doesn't make them right – it's just the world we unfortunately live in, and it's a sad reality. This isn't the kind of place that we should be apart of – women being treated the way they do, being slandered for their gender that they didn't choose, not feeling empowered, but feeling beat down and discriminated. Women shouldn't have to fear living their lives on the account of what they wear. They shouldn't have to be afraid of taking the bus alone at night, or walking down the street just to get to work, or even having to deal with ignorant comments that are ever popular, such as “Stop being a girl,” “Taking care of the baby is a woman's job” or “She's weak. She can't play football with the boys.” Women are human beings, individuals with hopes and dreams and emotions, just like anything else. Just because they obtain certain body parts, doesn't mean they lack certain rights or should be treated a certain way. When you harass a woman, it doesn't make you look “manly” or “powerful.” It makes you look scary, cowardly, pathetic and just down right mean.
1. Cat-calling and heckling.
Women shouldn't have to put up with this, but for years and years, they have been accustomed to this disturbing and annoying ritual.
“Hey baby, you're looking good tonight. I would look even better next to you.”
“Oh c'mon, sweetie. Don't ignore me – be a good little girl and keep me company, if you know what I mean.”
Or what about those simple and vulgar comments that just get straight to the point and really determine a man's IQ: “Nice a$$”, or “We're hiring.” And then insert whistling, chuckling and you've got complete and utter humiliation. Honestly, this is more annoying than anything. It's scary, yes, but there is nothing more irritating than walking down a sidewalk just to get to a friends house, or a birthday part, or work and hearing stupid losers on the side spew off offensive, distasteful comments that should be illegal. Yes, we are attractive, and we know this – but we don't want to hear it in your disgusting and disrespectful style. If more men simply smiled at a woman or minded their own business, the universe would be a happier place. You think that girl has a nice rack? Fine. But keep it in your head, at least. We don't have time to start the day off with being triggered or made uncomfortable – or even for those tough ladies, annoyed.
2. Sexual harassment.
I think this kind of harassment has sadly been tolerated because sexuality has been so hyped up in society, such as the media, social networking and weaving in and out of things like popular Hollywood movies, television and musical artists. It's literally everywhere. Reality is breaking down and deteriorating into something unrecognizable and unhealthy, and women are the demise of their own responses – because when someone makes a sexual joke towards women, it's natural that they laugh, even if it makes them uncomfortable, because those jokes are “in.” It's like we've been desensitized to the seriousness of sexual jokes and how they can actually bother people. This is a scary thought, but what if one day, we will live in a world where rape isn't that big of a deal.
I know, I know – it's intense to think abut. But look where we have come thus far? The kind of sexual harassment I'm talking about is when men make comments on a girl's body in person, tell her what they want to do with her, or even touch her in inappropriate areas – which is not acceptable whatsoever. I myself, have been a victim of sexual harassment and I know that it was probably one of the most terrifying moments of my life, even though it was only a few seconds long. A few seconds can elongate itself, and that is just scary.
Stop staring at my chest, stop staring at my legs, stop staring at my butt, stop staring at me in general – it's creepy and weird! I am NOT a piece of meat! I am a real life human being. I'm not an object of lusty desire. I don't want to feel that way, and I don't want to fear the world. I don't think anyone does, women or men.
3. Belittling her.
One of the most annoying and ignorant things I hear today when a woman is not in a good mood is that she is “on her period.” It's become such a popular excuse in today's society - humorous, almost. It's always she is on her period, or that she only thinks with her heart and not her brain. She is bad at making decisions, and she over thinks things. She doesn't know what she wants and she's just “being a girl.” You can't trust a girl because she's going to change her mind each second – blame the hormones, and all of those emotions!
From the beginning of time, women have been put into this stigma of thinking only with their heart and with their emotions, and that nothing really good comes out of that. That is complete crap. Yes, women do have the nature of being more compassionate in certain situations and yes, a few of these things are true. And of course all women get their periods. But that is no excuse to belittle what she is going through. Just because she's a girl and is upset about something bad that has happened to her, doesn't mean it's any less important and it doesn't mean that she's just overreacting. Listen to her. Stop making excuses. She is real, not a robot. She has a voice, too.
4. Stereotyping.
According to those old school losers who need to get out in the real world, women are only good at these specific things:
- Being a mother
- Providing sexual favors
- Not wanting to get dirty
- Always being really girly and high maintenance
- Always emotional (see #3 above)
- Always needing a man to help her around
- "Damsel in distress"
- Not wanting to hurt themselves
If you assume any of these things right off the bad, just go crawl back into your close minded hole and stay there. Come out, only if you're willing to be friendly, respectful and open minded. Thank you.
5. Disrespectful language.
Calling a woman a b!tch, a slut or any other offensive names (and there are lots and lots of them) is not going to make you a powerful and all mighty man. It might seem like that's the way to go from the way the world has been conditioned in our culture, but that's just not the case realistically. So, you can stop being afraid and actually use kind and appropriate words, or not say anything at all. If I'm a b!tch for not wanting to talk to you when you make me feel uncomfortable, then so be. I have the basic human right to not respond to you, it doesn't make me a horrible person. That's your problem for making me feel weird. Maybe if you weren't creepy and disrespectful, I would talk to you. We are women - not pieces of trash you can call names.
For everyone who read this article, I just want you to know that I am not trying to sound like a "man hater" or a "feminazi", because that is not who I am. I am simply pointing out the obvious: there is a big issue with harassment towards women - popularized by centuries and centuries of stereotyping and sexualization. Men are harassed by women as well, which is also an issue. But female harassment has been a long going, prevalent complication that has caused a lot of damage in our society. It's a huge problem that needs to be pointed out and recognized, so that women don't have to feel afraid. It's also an issue because it effects romantic relationships - when they're based solely on sex and not intellect. So, I just wanted to say... kudos to all the wonderful gentlemen out there.
