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I really love this. I'm a DV/rape survivor. I'm not afraid of anything anymore. I mean that sincerely. After all I've been through, all that's left is death. I faced it many times. Being afraid is draining. I don't have the energy for it. I may smart off to improper attention but, ignoring it can be more satisfying. Men like that WANT a reaction. I refuse to give them anything, not even my words.
Aubrey, you're so f*cking great. I love this. I've clapped back at street harassers as well, but got talked out of it too easily by someone who feared it put me in danger. They meant well, but honestly? The importance of shutting down street harassment (when, as you said, it's safe to do so), voicing that it's not ok and these men should be ashamed... this makes it worthwhile. It makes me feel human (god, what a horrible thing to have to say!) to reject dehumanization. And that's exactly what crude, scary, boundary-violating behavior from harassers does. And I feel it. And I'm so sick of it--for myself and others.
I really love this. I'm a DV/rape survivor. I'm not afraid of anything anymore. I mean that sincerely. After all I've been through, all that's left is death. I faced it many times. Being afraid is draining. I don't have the energy for it. I may smart off to improper attention but, ignoring it can be more satisfying. Men like that WANT a reaction. I refuse to give them anything, not even my words.
Aubrey, you're so f*cking great. I love this. I've clapped back at street harassers as well, but got talked out of it too easily by someone who feared it put me in danger. They meant well, but honestly? The importance of shutting down street harassment (when, as you said, it's safe to do so), voicing that it's not ok and these men should be ashamed... this makes it worthwhile. It makes me feel human (god, what a horrible thing to have to say!) to reject dehumanization. And that's exactly what crude, scary, boundary-violating behavior from harassers does. And I feel it. And I'm so sick of it--for myself and others.