COLUMN: stop verbal harassment
News Editor | Kate Carlson
It’s a weekday. I’m walking to an interview in between classes, running on two hours of sleep and three cups of coffee. My hair is thrown up in a messy bun and I’m wearing my favorite crewneck, courtesy of Salvation Army. Suddenly, a huge honking noise followed by yelled comments on my outfit comes from a couple of guys in a passing car before they speed off. Momentarily startled, I continue walking, going over the questions I plan on asking my source, relatively unfazed.
This is nothing new. Catcalling occurrences like this happen to me, on average, I would say at least once a week or more if I happen to be walking around in a more public place — I can’t imagine that being any different for any other woman on campus.
These uncomfortable interactions are always unwanted, uncomfortable, and many times make women feel unsafe. From what I can tell, the problem is unfortunately never addressed in the heat of the moment. I never have time to gather my bearings quickly enough when I am surprised by being catcalled in public to retort back. The perpetrator always drives away, probably amused with themselves and ready to do it again the next day without thinking twice.
Like I said, I know this is a problem all women face daily, yet I never hear anyone really openly address the issue. We are conditioned to brush it off like nothing happened. But it shouldn’t be normal.
Imagine a world where women catcalled men. When I try to picture it, it seems like a really ridiculous idea that I can’t imagine actually happening — yet the roles reversed are accepted and go unpunished.
Before you catcall someone, think about what you are actually doing. Are you doing it to get a laugh out of your friends? To make yourself feel more powerful than women? Because you want to catch the attention of a stranger? Or just to make fun of someone? None of these are acceptable reasons to catch someone off guard and verbally harass them.
