“Hello baby. I love you”. As if…. take a hike losers!
Thanks to Janine in Pietermaritzburg for telling it like it is:
Just some ranting about the absolute imbecile attitudes of some men on the street:
What is it about the country we live in that makes it okay for women to be subjected to continual harassment?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some man-hater and I know people don’t want to hear a woman complain about the attention she g…
ets, but come on – aren’t attitudes like these at the root of the high rape and sexual violence statistics?
There I was standing at the side of the road waiting for my friend to pick me up when, for the umpteenth time, a man walks past (way too closely, mind you) and says something inane like
“hi baby”. This happens about a million times a day, and sisters I know this happens to you as well. But right now, I’m gatvol!!!
What am I supposed to do when a man drives past me/walks past me and whistles/ makes a comment/ tries to touch me? What exactly is the expected reaction? Am I supposed to go up to him, and say “Oh my goodness, I’ve been waiting for this all day. Your show of sexual harassment is SUCH a turn on. Here’s my number, I’m not busy tonight, use it”?
What is the success rate with that technique? Are there women out there who enjoy being the centre of attention on the streets of South Africa?
And then has it ever happened to you when you don’t react (because I don’t), you’re called a “bitch”?
Some men in South Africa believe that they have the absolute right to comment about women’s bodies and their beings. When did all this behaviour become acceptable? And why are we so passive about it all? I mean, this has been happening to me for YEARS (probably since I hit puberty) and the accepted reaction is not to react. Why don’t we react? Why aren’t we, as women, allowed to turn around and say “F*ck off”?
I read an article recently where the author stated that women in South Africa walk around with a “to-be-raped” label on them. We have a greater chance of getting raped than winning the Lotto. I’d much rather win the Lotto.
These attitudes are transmitted everywhere, but most shockingly on the streets. I can’t walk around without lewd comments being made. When are the men of this country going to realise that this is not flattery? This is degradation. This is my body and only I have any rights or claims to it.
And then not to mention the harassment faced in the workplace. I’m in the media, and it shocks me how some politicians who hold public office share these exact attitudes as the common men in the street. While I try to do my job, they leer and try to get my personal numbers. This is unprofessional, and definitely unwanted.
But as a junior reporter, what can one do? If I reported this kind of behaviour, I’d have to quit my job because going to court all day would be my new full time job Yes, its that common.
But then why would I want to go to court? Just look at what’s happening to JZ’s accuser? She’s become a pariah, while JZ (the people’s hero) smiles and chants along with his fans.
What was I saying about people’s attitudes in this country?
