Stop Catcalling

Samantha Kuang

0.0 (0)
Politics

A commentary on catcalling.

10/10/2020

Flirting or Sexual Harassment?

Written by Samantha Kuang Have you ever walked down the streets and some creep decides that they are entitled to your body? As someone who had to encounter this situation multiple times, I would like to discuss why no one should ever catcall another person. As I waited for the stoplight to turn green, I munched on my Vietnamese sandwich on my way to 38 bus stop. “Can I get your number?”, I heard a voice say. I turned my head in the direction of the voice. A man old enough to be my father was clearly trying to hit on me. My headphones were visible so I didn’t think it was strange when I asked him to repeat himself. Once more he repeated his words as he eyed my legs up and down. I had heard him clearly but was so infuriated by his words that I asked him to repeat himself once more in hopes of him realizing that his behavior was predatory. Unfortunately, he continued on with his actions. With venom in my voice, I said, “I’m not into older men.” As I looked at the stoplight, he continued to pester me into giving him my number. I gave my final ultimatum, “Stop bothering me.” as I quickly crossed the road. At the 38 bus stop, I watched as he continued to stare at me from across the street. One might say that he might’ve thought that I look like an adult. Let’s discuss this excuse that I’ve heard some people use. I’ve been hit on since I was twelve, so I find it highly unlikely that as a middle schooler, I looked like an adult. Even if I was an adult, strangers should leave me alone when I reject their advances. Some argue that women should take being catcalled as a compliment. This doesn’t make sense at all, if a stranger went up to you to talk about your body, your immediate reaction wouldn’t be delight. Surprisingly being objectified by strangers does not feel good. The difference between flirting and catcalling is that when people flirt both parties enjoy it while catcalling is meant to demean and dominate someone. “If women don’t like it, why don’t they just say so?” I’ve said no to a dude who was harassing me, so he proceeded to follow me down the street. Many women do reject these advances, but men don’t like to listen because they think that she is ‘playing hard to get’. So the only option that women have is to say yes to their creepy advances or to say no and fear retaliation. If you are someone who catcalls please stop doing this and if you know someone who catcalls please explain to them why their behavior is creepy. There is a line between flirting and being a creep. If someone is not into you, just let it go.

1 Episode

A commentary on catcalling.

Creator

Samantha Kuang
Episodes

1
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Samantha Kuang
Show Website

Stop Catcalling