Misogyny in Public Spaces



Parsons Student and Friend Writes About Sidewalk Interactions

“I was walking towards school yesterday and two guys were standing on the street. They started to look at me and said ‘Hey mammi..you lookin’ goooood.’ When I looked at them, I realized that they were young…In their twenties. And not bad looking either. So then I really wanted to ask if this little technique of theirs worked or if it was just a stupid joke they pull on women to entertain themselves. I cant imagine sitting on the street andĀ holleringĀ at every cute guy that walks by, like they’re a fluffy dog on the sidewalk and I’m marveling at them. If I were to hit on a guy walking down the street, he would either laugh at me or ignore me because he thought I was crazy…No matter how attractive I am.

I dont understand this. Really…Does this work for them? Do girls actually stop and say ‘Hi’ to someone critiquing them like a magazine ad in the middle of the street? Instead of getting really mad because these men make me feel like a piece of meat, I smile right back at them. I can take it as a complement. Hey, if you want to call me hot, why should i be mad? Doesn’t mean you’ll get ass, just means your fooling youself, not me, boys.”

By Melanie Lledos

Notes