One of the most welcome contemporary trends is the sudden interest in resources to combat sexual harassment. The global SlutWalk and Hollaback movements have brought unprecedented attention to the problem, as has Holly Kearl’s wonderful recent book Stop Street Harassment. Without question.we’re seeing a new level of commitment in the struggle to create safe public spaces for women.
One particularly exciting new resource comes from Girls for Gender Equity. GGE and Feminist Press have released Hey Shorty! A Guide to Combating Sexual Harassment in Schools and on the Street. This brief, accessible, inexpensive book (and accompanying documentary film) focuses on the epidemic of sexualized harassment and violence in the New York City public school system, but its message and lessons are applicable worldwide. Hey, Shorty! tells the story of a decade-long struggle to develop programming to keep girls and women safe — programming often initiated and implemented by high school students.
Hey, Shorty documents the ubiquity and scale of sexualized harassment — and the toll it takes on young women’s lives. It’s an important reminder not only that words matter, but that solving the problem of harassment is inextricably tied up with the larger campaign to transform women’s relationship with their bodies.
The same media that foists upon us unrealistic and unattainable images of physical perfection also normalizes the sexualization of the young and the vulnerable. Women’s bodies become public property for comment, for desire, for rape and assault. We cannot hope to address the epidemic of eating disorders and body dysmorphia without also working to stop the verbal and physical harassment of women in public spaces.
Hey, Shorty! is a crucial warning about how daunting the challenge is — and a much-needed source of inspiration for how best to respond.
Thank you for your review, Hugo! In case folks want to participate in the Hey, Shorty on the Road tour, more info can be found here:
http://www.indiegogo.com/heyshortyontheroad
Back in the day we taught self-defense workshops, we encouraged all women to take karate. We had a group of women that would police commuter trains and subways, grabbing men who were causing trouble for women… very very common during rush hour.
A bunch of us would “patrol” a car, and the harassing men in question would be grabbed and shoved off the train at the nearest stop. We’d get 10-15 women per train car, or we’d just block a certain car’s entrance, so that men couldn’t even get on it.
We were aggressive, self-sufficent and very effective. A few of the countries involved eventually even had laws saying certain buses or trains were for women only, so you never had to worry about any men at all… always the best way to have the safest commuter trips.
But really, the thing that gives me the most peace of mind as a woman, is that I just drive, and I never take mass transit. Just never having to deal with creepo men on commuter train/subway situations is fantastic. Really, there will be no end to this until all girls are taking karate and getting their black belts. Women have simply got to fight back and do it so hard that men just back off for fear of being bashed to bits. You can’t negotiate with terrorists, and men on public transit terrorize women. enough. Incidently, a relative of mine was the youngest girl ever to get a black belt in karate a few years ago. I was very proud of her, and told her our stories of how we handled men on trains. Just an FYI for those who think “negotiating” or “educating” men actually works. Ed Schultz take notes.
I tend to agree with you, SheilaG, though personally I would recommend more direct martial arts. I myself think karate is awesome, but it doesn’t become useful for self defense until higher levels.
I find that gun-fu suffices just fine – and it costs less than lessons.