By DeDe Jones
When I browse through different feminist websites, I see countless articles on street harassment. Is this a new issue or is it just now being addressed for the first time? I used to think I was the only one who thought it was ridiculous how men would try to talk to every woman that passed them by. I’m glad I’m not alone.
I recently watched the video “10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman,” and I have to admit I didn’t have the best response to it. Yes, I get the message they are trying to say and the reasoning behind the making of the video. But, I feel that it cuts out a lot of reality and truth.
In the video, the woman, Shoshana B., is not allowed to respond to the comments for the sake of the video. But in reality, I feel like some of those comments being made by the men she passed could have been responded to. Throughout the video Shoshana was looking like she was not happy, once again, probably for the sake of the video. To me she seemed rude, and I wonder if it took away from the purpose of the video.
The video also “just captured” comments only from Black and Latino men. The video only features a white woman walking alone. So what about harassment from men of other races? After watching this video, I wondered, “What if Shoshana was walking in a white, privileged neighborhood and received the same harassment from white men. Viewers might think differently of the video.
I then found another video that responds to the previous one, “A Hollaback Response Video: Women of Color on Street Harassment.” And this video said everything I was thinking. Again, I’m glad I’m not alone. This video shows viewers that it is not just white women getting street harassed by only black and Latino men. It’s ALL types of women getting harassed by ALL types of men. And it doesn’t just happen to women who are alone. So please be careful! It’s okay to carry a little pepper spray with you or develop a plan of action in case it does go further than just words. These videos on street harassment are not meant to bash men, it’s meant to inform women that they are not alone. Men need tobe held accountable and stop harassing women on the street. These articles are also meant to let those street harassers know, we notice you and we want you to STOP!