I returned home today shaking. I was angry, frustrated, disappointed, relieved, frightened, hopeless and hopeful. I had just had lunch with my best friend Wendi. We ate at Whole Foods on a rainy day in the Lower East Side of NYC.
I’m frankly, and I know this is bad, desensitized to the fact that men hoot and holler at me on the street. I’ve learned to block that out despite the irritation. I’ve learned to accept street harassment as a daily part of my life, as common as seeing a rat in Tompkins Square Park.
On my walk home from lunch, I encountered a man who would not take no for an answer when it came to making my acquaintance. His sense of entitlement over this public space and my personal space astounded me.
Though I returned home unharmed and can gratefully say that he did not touch me, I was shaken up and took to Twitter to express my feelings and share my experience of #streetharassment, which has sadly become so normalized in our society.
Here’s my story:
Before I go into #amwriting #fishfood mode, I need to take a second to share the #streetharassment I’ve just experienced. Warning: TL flood.
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
Leaving lunch from Whole Foods, a man passes me on the sidewalk & extends his hand for me to shake. #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
When I did not shake this stranger’s hand, he says, “Don’t act like that.”He then changes directions & walks beside me. #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
He keeps his hand extended: “Come on!” I tell him to pls let me walk in peace. He begins singing “The Girl From Ipanema” #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
A woman behind me says, “She doesn’t want to talk to you.” He says, “Well I won’t stop until she shakes my hand.” #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
I say, “I’m sorry but I do not shake hands with strangers.” He counters, “I’m not a stranger anymore…” #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
”..I’ve been walking with you for minutes now.” Me: “Against my will. Yes you have. Please leave me alone.” #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
People pass. I wonder if they see it as a grand courting gesture, as if a woman should be used to this kind of attn. #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
At a light on Allen&Houston, I turn to say “You’re making me really uncomfortable. Pls just let me be.” I feel vulnerable. #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
“Stop being so stuck up,” he yells at me, adding, “God bless you.” He turns around and walks the other way. #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
Never experienced #streetharassment to this level in my life. I was afraid he’d follow me home (even made plans to possibly go elsewhere).
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
I want to feel safe, to walk home w/o some stranger injecting himself into my stroll. This should never be seen as normal. #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
And we should speak up when this happens. I’m submitting my experience to @stopstharassmnt now: ow.ly/cFyGi #streetharassment
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
Time for #fishfood. I will use today’s experience to write about power, entitlement, space & how we move about in the world. #amwriting
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) August 1, 2012
