If you see me in the street

When I see a man approach and I cast down my eyes
I'm not laying down a hand, I'm not looking for a prize
It's just a force of habit, this avoiding the male glance
Cos it isn't worth the trouble and it isn't worth the chance
Of them thinking that you're actively 'giving them the eye'
And not simply acknowledging a fellow passerby
And no, I don't know what they're thinking but I know what men have THOUGHT
And I live by my experiences and the lessons I've been taught
In a society where one such glance could put me in great danger
I'd rather look down at the floor than smile at a stranger
And in this tragedy of modern times where every man's a threat
And every woman on her own is clearly 'asking for it'
I fight and fight and fucking FIGHT to keep my head held high
So if I'm not catching your glances I'll be looking at the SKY
And I've seen the way things could be and I've seen the way things are
And there's nothing nice or wholesome about murder, rape, or war
And there's absolutely nothing fair about the lack of equal pay
Or the fact that thousands of women are assaulted EVERY DAY
And that's what's running through my mind as I walk down the street
So don't judge me if I look away
And if our eyes SHOULD meet
Just ask yourself how you would feel before you turn to shout
If you were always half-afraid of men when you went out
And ask yourself how you would feel if every single day
When you went to your wardrobe or you walked a certain way
You had to wonder what a judge would say about your skirt
And whether if you wear those heels you're asking to get hurt
And whether you should have a drink or stick with lemonade
Because you know how many women every minute are betrayed
By someone they thought they could trust, or who they have just met
And whether you can go outside and smoke a cigarette
Without dealing with the 'banter' from the usual drunk lout
And whether you'll need the alarm in the handbag you brought out
And whether you should call a friend to walk the journey home
Because you know you're vulnerable when you're walking alone
So if you see me in the street don't ask me for a smile
And don't assume I dress for you or appreciate your vile
Assertion of ownership on a body that's my own
When all I really want to do is make it safely home
Cos I'm already fighting to be here in the first place
Without having to worry about a smile upon my face
So don't attempt to hit on me with chauvinistic bile
And before you comment on my shoes
TRY WALKING IN THEM FOR A MILE.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• poem
• feminism

[dalia72592]

People who say she's exaggerating about feeling threatened, or think for some reason that harassment is about good looks or giving a "compliment", I dare you to take the subway in Philadelphia or just walk a few blocks after 9 PM as a woman and tell me you don't feel threatened, tell me something isn't wrong. If you've never experienced this then lucky fucking you, congratulations, but don't tell other people what they have and haven't experienced.

[CaketinHT]

@FortinBrown Your comment could have been great if it was even remotely true.

[lovelyfairy27]

@keglog I never said they weren't so don't try putting words in my mouth. I was talking about MY personal fears, no one else's. You are obviously biased against women, and I am biased against men from our experiences, it's as simple as that. Everyone's abuse is different, so there is no need to confront me for something I did not say.

[keglog]

@lovelyfairy27 Well I'm a female who was sexually abused as a child by a woman... so go figure... Women should never be put on a pedestal and painted as saints, and neither should men. Both genders are equally capable of being sexual predators.

[AlysonL319]

May I use the words on a riot grrrl poster? <3

[609Blondebomb]

You are absolutely fantastic...

[lovelyfairy27]

This is very, very true. Once you are a survivor of any kind of sexual abuse you become wary of certain things. For me it was men, I know that not all men are predators, but it doesn't stop the fear. Not when two people you trusted dearly hurt you.

[ModestlyAwesomer]

this made me realize that i only talk to male strangers because i'm afraid women will think i'm hitting on them or objectifying them (i'm a boy). on a separate note, i have had a much older man stop me and repetitively ask for sex. i only found it mildly uncomfortable, but maybe it gets worse after a few times, or maybe i'm just strange. i have trouble understanding subjects like this because neither side likes to recognize any validity in the other's arguments. can someone help with that?

[glennis3]

I understand where this young woman is coming from. However, looking down possiby shows that she feels weak. She would give the impression of a less vulnerable person if she held her head high, did not smile and looked straight ahead with her posture showing that she was able to take care of herself.  Just looking as if she is a no nonsense person.

I like this young lady. She is a strong person actually.

[nickdavijhon]

it's funny how this woman believe that violence is only aim at woman. First of all, not all men are abuser or rapist, this believe that all men are out to get her, she is losing it. Any woman with brain in there head no is a bad ideal to walk the night alone. Even men are not comfortable walking the streets alone in fear of being mug or getting shot.

[Hawkeyes711]

@FortinBrown also it's "could have," not "could of" since we're apparently also talking about linguistic correctness...