inherently different

Archive for April 10th, 2006

6togo recently posted a link to a website called hollabacknyc (i won’t link it to avoid giving this moronic blog more publicity than it deserves)… you’d think it was something fun, carefree, ghetto… whatever, but it isn’t… it is a rather misguided attempt to give voice to “street harassment.”

I say misguided because you don’t really need anything more tangible than a “feeling” that you are being objectified. Granted, some women/metrosexuals who use the site will clearly be trying to do some good… still…

Sexual harassment is definitely something men should be concerned about. In this atmosphere of zero tolerance, just about anything can be considered sexual harassment. Of course, regardless of what anyone says, sexual harassment is a one-way street. If a woman says, “You look nice in that shirt,” the message being sent isn’t considered sexual harassment. If a man says the exact same thing to a woman though, it can be construed as sexual harassment. Unfortunately this disparity tends to make any workplace where “liberated” or “empowered” (or whatever euphemism for feminist extremism you care to use) women are employed a “hostile” work environment for men.

I do NOT condone making women feel uncomfortable in any way, nor do I think it is proper or ok for a woman to be objectified in the work place. I also do not condone simple acts of admiration (such as the aforementioned, “Hey that shirt looks good on you!” type of compliments) being turned into sexually charged commentary.

The website lets just about anyone post pictures and comments that “out” street harassers. If was used primarily to warn women of sexual predators or misogynists, I wouldn’t have a problem… but if you search the site’s archives, you’ll see a number of rather innocuous comments men make to women being construed as sexual/street harassment.