Although I certainly have direct experiences with street harassment, this story is a little different — but still very upsetting. Last night, an acquaintance/former classmate posted this status on Facebook: “Ladies: I honked because you’re hot, no need to flip me off.” In the few minutes between reading this and deleting this person, it had already accumulated 12 “likes”, from both men and women. Perhaps the most bewildering part of this is that the status was actually posted by a woman.

Regardless of the sex of the poster, however, such a public endorsement of street harassment is sickening to me. The worst part is that all of those people “liking” and commenting on the status about how “funny” it is most likely don’t even know that what they’re making jokes about and encouraging is a very real problem; a problem that is part of the even bigger issue of how women are seen and treated all over the world. It’s beyond sad to know we can barely walk down the street without being honked at, catcalled, or followed. It’s terrible that we’re expected to take it as a compliment. Even worse, it’s such a common part of society that many women can’t even see what’s happening.

- Anonymous

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