My first week in D.C., I started noticing random people complimenting my outfit or my smile or something at random points. Sometimes it was the guy who hands me my paper every morning at Union Station, or the guy ringing me up at CVS. And I have to admit, it was quite flattering (these kinds of things really don't happen to me often, you see). But as it continued day after day, I started getting a little annoyed. I mean come on, when I don't have any make up or my hair is a hot mess, I know you do not think I am the least bit attractive. So I started paying more attention and as a result of this, I learned that men have absolutely no shame.
I don't mean to generalize, but this is what I have experienced. And please don't think I'm trying to show off here, believe me, no girl wants to deal with the advances of these types of men. Generally, the men who are commenting on my outfit or how pretty I am, are men of Hispanic or African-American descent. They're usually wearing casual shorts with a wife beater, and are also usually sitting on the side of the street. And they love making all women feel uncomfortable. And they do it without any shame at all.
I was walking my friend's dog this weekend (she lives in a very ethnic neighborhood), and I asked my co-interns Dusty and Charlie to come with me on Friday evening after work. So we're walking down the street, mind you, we're all in our work attire, and I see some lovely men sitting on the side of the street. As we walk past, they just stared at me. As we're waiting on the corner, a car drove past, and the driver, while driving through the intersection, decided that was the proper time to look out his window and look at me from head to toe. I was flanked by two guys for god's sake. For all the driver knew, either Dusty or Charlie could have been my boyfriend, but apparently that didn't phase him. Shocked, Charlie just looked at me and finally understood what I had been explaining to him at work for several days.
The next day, I was walking the dog again, this time by my self, and was greeted by two lovely men, easily in their 50s and driving a nice, beat up Cadillac that needed a wash really badly. As usual, I stared ahead and ignored them as they stared at me. And then, the creepy man with dreadlocks said the following: "Hola, Senorita. Looking mucho beautiful. Welcome to America."
EXCUSE ME??? ARE YOU ACTUALLY SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? You honestly think, that of all things, THAT will get me to fall into your perverted arms??? I can deal with the fact that you clearly think I'm Mexican. Hell, I can deal with the fact that you think that I am a brand new Mexican immigrant. But I will not stand for you objectifying me like I am a piece of meat. Women do not walk around this City for the pleasure of men with no jobs to stare at us. We have better things to do with our lives, and certainly better men to meet.
I realize that this blog has been targetted at a certain group of men in this city, but I will say that these situations are not exclusive to them. Instances of being stared at like a piece of meat have happened at the Capitol, but at least those men are discreet about it. I admit, I'm used to situations like this...it happens every time I walk into Campus Corner. But at least I get a benefit that far outweighs the cost there. That is not the case when I am doing a favor for a friend and walking her dog. I'd like to see how half of these men would react if someone repeated their actions upon their sisters or mothers. Would they still think it's ok? Probably not.
Apologies for the blog post that turned into a rant.
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