Street Harassment Towards Women of Color in Urban Areas

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Reflection

Researching this topic has benefited me in many ways. I did not know of the term, “street harassment”; I knew that men whistled and made inappropriate comments to women, but I never knew it had a specific name to it. I always thought it was harassment itself. I also informed myself that this problem is not local: it is universal. Everyday, women are exposed to this type of environment and the streets are not safe for women to walk through, especially in urban areas.

I now view the world differently. I know who the victims are and the harassers. Men do not have power over women nor are they entitled to whistle, look, or make comments to women passing by. This is something to change, which brings me to my next point. I also know that there are activists who are trying to make a difference and change how our society views certain topics. Raising awareness plays a very important role in street harassment; it is a way that street harassment may be prevented or a way we can go about it. This blog serves for that purpose. Women do not let yourselves feel less or disrespected by strangers on the streets. Let us speak up and defend ourselves. Men speak up and know better. Let us make urban streets safe once again, and let women walk with such confidence.

-YO

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Annotated List of Additional Resources

Davis, Deirdre. “The Harm That Has No Harm: Street Harassment, Embodiment, and African American Women.” 4 UCLA WOmen’s L.J. 133 (1993-1994):135-44. Web. 19 Apr. 2016

Davis talks in his article about street harassment and the effects it has upon specifically African American women. He goes on to mention the specific acts that come within street harassment. It is beneficial to read since it informs people of the effects street harassment has for a specific group of colored women.

“Hollaback!” Hollaback! You Have the Power to End Harassment RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2016. <http://www.ihollaback.org/>.

This is a website that talks about how to end harassment. It also tells stories of people who have unfortunately experienced harassment. It is very beneficial for people to go through this website because it will inform people of what harassment consists.

“Home | Stop Street Harassment.” Stop Street Harassment. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2016. <http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/>.

This is another website that talks about how to stop street harassment. It also shares experiences of women who have experienced street harassment. This website is filled with a lot of important information that people should know about this topic to prevent it.

Kearl, Holly. Stop Street Harassment: Making Public Places Safe and Welcoming for Women. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger, 2010. Print.

This book talks more than this blog. It is really beneficial to read since it educates the reader of what street harassment is and how women feel when they are exposed to this type of environment. It also talks about factors that I was not able to talk about like wearing headphones, talking on a cell phone, and being escorted.

Logan L. (2015) Street Harassment: Current and Promising Avenues for Researchers and Activists,Sociology Compass, 9, 196–211, doi: 10.1111/soc4.12248.

Logan talks about street harassment and how to raise awareness is important. She mentions the power of words has a lot of importance in ending a problem such as street harassment. She goes in depth of what street harassment encompases and much more in her book.

-YO

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Suggested Solutions to the Problem

Enforcing Laws to Prohibit Street Harassment

Politics should get involved. Making laws that make street harassment a crime will make men realize that what they are doing to women is not right and has consequences. Otherwise, men will never know that they are doing wrong by talking in a vulgar manner to women.

Giving Adolescents Knowledge

Students deserve to know what street harassment is and what it consists of. Boys need to learn at an early age that whistling at a woman is disrespectful and should learn to respect woman. If they do not have that type of education at home, they will at school. This is also beneficial for girls to know that this is not right and they should not put up with it. Some women, today, feel that there is nothing wrong with this because it seems normal to them. We need to change this. Also, in adolescence, boys and girls are learning and forming their identity and whom they want to become; let them become and begin a new society for the future.

Using the Power of Words

Spreading Awareness about the subject will also let people know that street harassment should not be permitted. Some people, as I have already mentioned, do not think this is a wrong thing to do. Some, even, feel as if “hey mami” was a compliment and make them feel good. In reality, it is a sign of disrespect towards women. If women know about this, they can finally be brave enough to say something, which brings me to my next point.

Being Brave

When the moment comes, stop the harasser and correct him. It may be a dangerous move because it may lead to something more than harassment, but letting them know that street harassment is not right can have an impact on them. Many women pass by and ignore the comment because they do not want to deal with the man or problem. What does that do? It allows for the man to continue making such comments to the next woman that passes by. Saying something back is worthy and beneficial. Ladies, speak up for yourselves!

This goes for men too. Men, if you see this happening, be the better man and speak up.

-YO

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Summary

Street harassment is no joke. Women are exposed to this type of harassment at any time as they walk to school, work, park, or any place public. Research has shown that women of color are more exposed to street harassment, which is why something must be done for them so they are not receiving these comments. Raising awareness of how crucial and important it is for street harassment to be stopped should help women. Another thing that is going to help, is like Cynthia says in her article: there must be laws that prohibits street harassment. Yes, street harassment is prohibited in some states in the United States but it should not only be in only a few states but in all the states and all over the world. This is a universal problem that should be stopped.

Feminists can and should include street harassment in their movements. According to Hooks, “feminism is the struggle to end sexist oppression.” Women are being oppressed by men who believe they have power over them. Men think they are entitled to whistle and “compliment” a woman. Really, they do not. As Laura Logan mentions in one of her articles, words have power. We can all share how important it is to let people know that these harassers do not power over women. No human being does. If we let people know about this problem, we can change society’s views of how to treat a woman and how whistling, making comments or looking at a woman walking on the streets is wrong.

-YO

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Description of How the Problem is an Intersectional Issue

Street harassment is indeed an intersectional issue; it does not only have to do with gender. It also relates back to the socioeconomic statuses of people. In urban areas, many colored people and women, in this case, live in poor neighborhoods, which is where generally more street harassment is seen. More women of color, specifically Latinas and Black women, experience street harassment because of their where they live and their status. Because of their socioeconomic status, women might be more exposed to street harassment, but it does not mean that those who are stably well off are less exposed to street harassment. Street harassment can happen to any woman walking down the streets, but it just applies more to women of color.

Street harassment also deals with how women take care of or view themselves. Some women like to receive these comments by men because it makes them feel like they are noticeable to the public. However, these comments are degrading a woman’s worth. Women should not receive these comments by strangers in the streets in order to feel noticeable. On the other hand, some women feel humiliated or embarrassed by these comments. These men have made women feel fear in showing off their body since some women wear baggy clothes to not receive these comments from men in the streets. Street harassment has affected the way women view themselves and their self worth. Women, feel proud of your body and do not let any stranger make you doubt your beauty.

-YO

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Discussion of an Institutional Example

Schools should show and teach about what street harassment is and what it involves. Most likely this should be taught in adolescence since kids are starting to know more about their surroundings. If schools are willing to show what street harassment is and how it affects women and our society, the boys learning about this can take that into consideration and be mindful when they are walking through the streets when they are older. This is a way that we can prevent from street harassment in a long run, and have women be more respected by the other gender. 

Political institutions can also impact street harassment. Legislators, mayors, and lawyers should be well informed about street harassment and how this is a serious problem that women have the right to report. Legislators should work to create a law in each state that defends the privacy and rights of women who are exposed to street harassment. Street harassment should not be taken very lightly. They have the power to contribute to this problem by finding a solution to preventing women being called on or whistled and made uncomfortable in the streets. If this happens, only then, may women walk down the streets with no fear.

-YO

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Discussion of a Real Example

Women unfortunately deal with street harassment at an early age. Stop Street Harassment website has a lot of people who are brave enough to share their experiences. A 15-year-old girl was waiting for the train to go to school in New York City. A 43-year-old man says to her, “You got great legs baby!” She speaks up and says, “Excuse me, you probably have a daughter older than me.” However, instead of the man being ashamed for his comment, he replies, “Sorry you just look so sexy in that schoolgirl outfit I couldn’t help it and you do have great legs.” The girl is brave enough to defend herself and says, “Sexual harassment is a crime, leave me alone or I will report you,” and after that, the man walked away. 

Although many women tend to ignore these comments as they walk by, this brave girl was able to defend herself and correct the man, harasser. This serves as an example that we, as woman do have the right to spread the word and can talk back to men who offend us with their comments. If no one talks back to them, these men think that they can do it at any time to any woman passing by in the streets. 

The 15 year old girl finalizes by saying, “I count that as a win for me because I hear things like that all the time and I finally stood up for myself and said something.” It was a win. It was one man being corrected and hopefully this made him rethink of the things he says: especially to minors. This experience serves as an example of what women can do when men have a comment or something to say to them. Yes, we still have to be careful because some men can be dangerous and it can result into something else than harassment, but it's crucial that women start to speak up and correct men.

-YO

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Analysis of a Second Scholarly Source

Elizabeth Arveda Kissling discusses the meaning of street harassment in her article, Street Harassment: the Language of Sexual Terrorism. She shows various examples of how men and women view street harassment in different countries like Syria, lebanon, West Germany, and Taiwan and the United States. Some women who experience comments like “hello baby” or others think of them as compliments or as being seen by others in public. On the other hand, men believe that saying these comments to women makes them feel good and it is a form of acknowledging them. Other men mention that the way women dress provokes them to say such things to them. In some countries, if women are dressed in a “provocative” way, it is her fault for being harassed for seeking such behaviors from men. The way street harassment is seen around the world is seen as the same thing and serve for the same purpose.

Kissling mentions that the comments men make towards women have many roles or functions for our society. When women harass women, it makes them feel a sense of control over the space they are in since they believe they have control over the streets and the women walking in them. Others use street harassment to simply objectify women and humiliate them. Street harassment is used to make women feel like objects and have men feel powered and in control over women, which makes women fear walking on the streets.

Kissling mentions that street harassment is the same as sexual terrorism: “ a system by which males frighten and through fear control and dominate females” (Kissling p.456). Women fear the streets and sexual terrorism is also known as rape, sexual harassment and also street harassment. Although, street harassment is not an outcome of sexual terrorism; it is more of a factor that contributes for this type of culture to be present. Kissling argues that people need to communicate to help people understand street harassment and its definition, as well as raise awareness towards the subject.

I enjoyed reading this article. I never knew what sexual terrorism referred to and I agreed with Kissling with how men do feel like they have power over women when they think they can make comments towards women. I also agree that sexual harassment happens all over the world because for many years, our universal society is accustomed to have men be more dominant and women be more submissive causing men to treat women like objects. I disagree with the way that men think that they just want to make women feel good by complimenting their looks or the way they dress. A question readers may have is how do we stop street harassment happening all over the world? Although we should respect all cultures and their beliefs, we should protect women and raise awareness. We can make people known that these type of “compliments” are really harming our society and the way gender is viewed. This is why we need to communicate with one another.

-YO

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Analysis of Scholarly Source

Feminist Cynthia Grant Bowman discusses in her article Street Harassment and the Informal Ghettoization of Women the problems with street harassment towards women in urban areas and how the law goes about this subject. She defines what street harassment consists of and elaborates on how the term “street harassment” recently came about universally since the actions of street harassment had no name. She also explains the effects that street harassment has on women and what the law can do to make women feel safer in the streets.

She defines street harassment as both verbal and nonverbal behaviors, gestures, and comments, and has 5 characteristics to it: the targets are females, the harassers are males and acquainted with their targets and the encounter is face to face in a public place. Cynthia also elaborates that street harassment is mainly experienced in large urban areas. Street harassment also affects women’s psychological well-being and conduct. Women who experience street harassment are usually moderate annoyed or fear walking the streets by themselves, which makes them dependent of males to escort them around as a form of protection. Also, women fear that one of those comments could turn into rape. It also takes a toll on women’s self-esteem feeling as an object and such comments can make women feel ashamed of their bodies and associate their bodies with fear and humiliation. The streets are not safe for women to walk in, and therefore the law should be protecting women from street harassment.

Cynthia elaborates on the ways that women could file for a case who have experience street harassment. Although she mentions manly legal categories, none “fit” the harassment that women experience. Assault encompanses physical harmful contact, harassment statutes are ineffective because it requires a continuous course of conduct, and fighting words statutes are premised on male experience to act violently. The one that is merely close to fit street harassment behavior is cases that cause emotional distress. Cynthia recommends that there should be laws to address street harassment and its effects that women experience. She proposes there is a passage of a state statute or municipal ordinance prohibiting street harassment, and a campaign to redefine the torts of assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy to encompass street harassment. She concludes saying that not many people talk about street harassment because women are now used to this idea and believe this actions towards her are normal. The law should protect women from street harassment.

I really enjoyed reading this article although it was very long. I agree it is important that people know about street harassment and its effects that cause women to have. I agree that the law should do something about street harassment since its affecting many women who live in urban areas. I did not agree that she only focused or believed that street harassment is done specifically by men and the ones being harassed are only women. There are other groups who are harassed like transgender people or gay men and many more. As well, women can also be harassing men in some rare occasions. A question that many can ask themselves after reading this article could be how can we enforce laws if men are the ones who are mainly in charge of passing laws? I think that it is possible and crucial that men notice the effect that street harassment has upon women and think of a woman who is close to these men being harassed. I am sure that if they think of the consequences, these men who are supposed to be as just as they can be should care about what women go through. Also, there are women who are lawyers and work in law offices who can enforce these laws and suggestions that Cynthia has suggested for the best of women’s safety.

-YO

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Analysis of Web Source

The Huffington Post recently revealed an article with heading “It’s Important For Men to Understand that they Need to Stop Telling Women to Smile”. The title says it all.

The article begins by saying how smiling is a warm gesture and it should not be used to try to get to talk to a woman. Some men encourage smiling to women in a genuine, friendly matter but many have other intentions. This is a form of harassment. Strangers should not tell others to smile since no one knows what the other person is going through: maybe she’s on her period and has cramps, has a recent death in the family, or school/job related problems. “Smile” is not a way to begin an unwanted conversation. The fact that this happens more towards women is alarming.

Recently, Hillary Clinton was told to smile by Joe Scarborough over twitter because she had a great victory in the primaries. This comment was not directed at Trump or other candidates but towards the only woman running for presidency. All women are not suppose to smile all the time and be “pretty”. Another example is from other countries like Malaysia where women who smile are assaulted by men because if a woman smiles it is a form of invitation for men to follow. This form of thinking is completely unacceptable.

Fortunately, activists like Tatyana Fazlalizadeh try to do something to prevent this way of thinking from expanding. She created a website with different art portraits addressing gender based street harassment. The art is mainly focused on women of color. These portraits are posted in different public areas around various cities to spread awareness of the problem.

This blog post had many great points that I agree with completely. Men should not feel empowered to tell women to smile. Women should not smile for the reason of being more attractive or pretty for the pleasure of men. If women do not smile at you, men, then she is not interested. The article says at the end, “Besides, wouldn’t you want a woman to smile at you because she wants to? If you have to ask her to smile, she’s not interested.” Women should not be exposed to these type of harassment on the streets. If a woman says no, men should hear it loud and clear: she is not interested. I love Tatyana’s project of spreading awareness. Many may ask, is this a proper way to raise awareness and is it effective enough to stop it? I believe it is a great start. It uses art to express and communicate with others an important idea. The fact that this is posted in streets where women are exposed to street harassment is brilliant because it’s going towards those directly doing the harassing. Men should not tell women to smile, overall. If she wants to smile, she will.

-YO

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Introduction

Street Harassment towards Women of Color

Walking itself is not a dangerous, horrible action to do. Some enjoy walking. Others, however, do not for what they experience. People can walk down the street and automatically be street harassed. The issue of street harassment is a main concern for women of color in urban areas. This problem contributes to gender oppression since it happens more often to women. The ones doing the street harassing are, unfortunately, mainly men. We live in a society that has entitled men to have the control. Hence, men feel entitled to whistle, make inappropriate comments, or even give a look that makes women feel uncomfortable. It's a problem that needs to be acknowledged and corrected. Women deserve all the respect as so do everyone else. I never really thought of street harassment as a huge problem until I noticed how many women are experiencing it and the level it has gotten up to is sad. Women need to be able to walk down the streets without feeling violated. 

-YO