street harassment part II

[solange]

About a year and a half ago I made a post asking for advice on how to deal with street harassers. Eric suggested confronting them face to face and asking them questions about what they're saying and why they're saying it. I think the next four times I got harassed after that I was too scared to say anything, but soon I got in the habit of

Comments

[rootlesscosmo]

I'm glad your tactic has had moderately good (I guess you'd call them) results. I still think you're taking a chance, because (as the jerk you call COOG made clear) the point of men harassing women in public is to assert that the public space is ruled by men, and women pass through it safely only insofar as men allow them to. This means that any kind of challenge by a women being harassed can trigger all-out rage, because it's a challenge to this basic constituent of male identity. Is there a better tactic? I don't think there is, because male control of public space isn't a fantasy but the literal truth; if it's going to be changed, it won't be at the level of individual interactions. Meanwhile I think your first consideration should be your personal safety; if that means immediately turning into the nearest place of business, or getting out your cell and dialing 911 (for real, not for show), then that's what I'd recommend. Harassment is a threat, of rape or beating or both, and I think you should do whatever's required to minimize it or escape from it. Is this a humiliating surrender? Damn right. That's the point. They're in charge. Be safe.