Tonight we did dinner and drinks with two Swiss ladies we met whilst traveling. They are just finishing up a 4 month trip around Argentina and Chile. We had apps and Malbec at our place and then went out to a veggie spot in town. After dinner, they decided that they wanted to see what a traditional Argentine milonga (tango dance) was like, so we decided to go to Ville Malcolm, a super popular spot where they were guaranteed to see a high level of dance.
We walked a few blocks to a better spot to grab a cab, and as we passed a group of men sitting on stoops and sorting through trash on the street, they cat called us and one of them reached out and grabbed my ass and flicked up my skirt (I had leggings underneith but was not pleased at the extremely unwelcome and unacceptable intrusion). Naturally, I turned around and faced him, incredulous. But not knowing the language, all I could do was flip him off.
Please, tell me...what would make a man EVER think he has the right to touch me, or disrespect me like that on the street? In the L Word, Jenny (who is the most annoying and dramatic character on the show) makes one very good point (in her annoying and disturbingly dramatic way). She says that there probably isn't one woman who has not been imposed or intruded upon by a man. Hopefully the intrusion was relatively innocent, like the experience I had tonight, but we all know that isn't always the case. Think about it ladies, how many times have you been intruded upon? Is there one of us out there who can say we have never been objectified or exploited?
It makes me sad that equality is still so far from reality. If society cant even respect women, how can we ever hope that the GLBT community will get the respect and equal rights they deserve? Or hope that racial discrimination will one day end? Tonight, even tho I had a couple good dances at Villa Malcolm, I go to bed disheartened, and once again disappointed by the human race.
16 years ago
It kind of sucks because as much as I want to say that it is not a reflection of "the way men are" but then again I don't know of many men that have been grabbed, let alone whistled at by women. Often, it is other men. But obviously it does happen, women harassing men.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how men think that such behavior is admissible let alone completely deplorable. Here, the defense is that if men don't harass you it is because you are too ugly, too unattractive. As such, women describe it as something of an honor to be cat-called and verbally abused - usually physical abuse is frowned upon but they don't see how it is simply a continuation of the same lack of respect. And it is not just respect for women. I always wonder how sad such a man must be: to know that the only way they will get any "action" is to take it by force, even if it is a word, or a touch only. But when does it stop.
And the kicker: you [girls] are supposed to say "thank you" when it is all over.