Just Stop Catcalling
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Just Stop Catcalling

I don't care how attractive you think I am, I don't deserve to be assaulted.

1036
Just Stop Catcalling
Wordpress

Last night I was in Manhattan with my friends. I wasn't wearing anything special – leggings and an old jean jacket. We were walking to the Columbus Circle subway station, passing Trump Tower, and a guy leans out of his car window to shout at us. I don't remember what he said, but I know that I started walking a little bit faster.

At the Whitehall Ferry Terminal, my friends and I were standing around, waiting for the ferry to take us back to Staten Island, and I could feel eyes burning through my clothes. Less than five feet away from me, there was a guy staring at me, whispering to his buddies. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I've been through this enough to know that it probably wasn't savory. We get on the boat, and he follows us to the front deck. It's cold; we're tired, and he says, "I just wanted to tell the one with the blue lipstick that she's pretty." I half smile. He's not looking at my lipstick. I thank him and turn away from him and away from my friends. He asks me where I'm from and why I'm not talking to him. He invited us to a party that his buddy was having on the island. All four of us just wanted him to leave us alone. After a long, uncomfortable and frightening silence, my friend asked him to leave.

When the ferry docked, he followed us. He told us to run. And even if it was a joke, boy did I run.

At home, in Pennsylvania, I can't take the trash to the garbage can on the curb without getting honked at or shouted at by somebody driving by. One day I was wearing my favorite black skirt and some jerk honked at me. I immediately started tugging on my clothes – trying to make my skirt longer, pulling my jacket tighter around me – as if what I was wearing was somehow inappropriate. When I get catcalled, I doubt myself, becoming incredibly self-conscious about my outfit, my make-up, my shoes, my hair, even my friends. I almost threw that black skirt out because of how horrible that jerk in a pick-up truck made me feel.

Thank you for thinking that I'm pretty, but shouting "Hey! You! Whatcha doing tonight?" while staring at my chest is not a compliment. Sleazily saying "Hey, Beautiful!" with a smirk on your face is not a compliment. Following me and calling me a whore when I don't respond to your unwanted advances is not a compliment.

I've had men come up to me and say, "Hey, I saw you from across the Ferry Terminal, and I just wanted to say that I think you're really pretty." I smile and say, "Thank you." Sometimes it leads to a conversation; most of the time it doesn't. But when they ask for my number, I'm not terrified to say no.

The difference between a compliment and a cat call is how comfortable I am with rejecting any sort advance made.

I love going down by the river in my hometown by myself. I love going shopping in Union Square by myself. I love being that "strong independent woman" and I love being by myself, but I've been followed and yelled at and threatened because I just smiled at someone I walked past. Apparently, having basic human decency makes me a tease.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

17807
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

946519
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

123156
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments