Why hello there gentle readers (and a big thanks to John Zande for bringing this video to my attention). Today were going to look at one of the fundamental differences between the lived experiences of men and women in public. We’re also going to look at some of the horrible things misogynistic, entitled men say when they see a version of reality that doesn’t agree with theirs. These are the same dudebro’s that cry foul when women post videos on you tube and decline to open the comment section. So, let us watch the video and then digest some of the comments I annotate from said video.

A handy refresher about Helen Lewis’s Law -“Comments on any article about feminism justify feminism.”

**UPDATE – A big thank you Bleatmop for this information – Shoshana has also been receiving rape threats due to her participation in this video. See the story here. **

This video is a PSA about street harassment and this definition is from their blog Hollaback.

“What is street harassment? Street harassment is a form of sexual harassment that takes place in public spaces. It exists on a spectrum including “catcalling” or verbal harassment, stalking, groping, public masturbation, and assault. At its core is a power dynamic that constantly reminds historically subordinated groups (women and LGBTQ folks, for example) of their vulnerability to assault in public spaces. Further, it reinforces the ubiquitous sexual objectification of these groups in everyday life. Street harassment can be sexist, racist, transphobic, homophobic, ableist, sizeist and/or classist. It is an expression of the interlocking and overlapping oppressions we face and it functions as a means to silence our voices and “keep us in our place.” At Hollaback!, we believe that what specifically counts as street harassment is determined by those who experience it. If you’ve experienced street harassment, we’ve got your back! Is Shoshana’s experience unique? The experience of street harassment is different for everyone. Street harassment disproportionately impacts women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and young people. Although the degree to which Shoshana gets harassed is shocking — the reality is that the harassment that people of color and LGBTQ individuals face is oftentimes more severe and more likely to escalate into violence. These forms of harassment are not just sexist — but also racist and homophobic in nature.” […] Shoshana noted, “I’m harassed when I smile and I’m harassed when I don’t. I’m harassed by white men, black men, latino men. Not a day goes by when I don’t experience this.”

Yes, well, lets take a peek at what the enlightened you tube commentators has to say. I went through the comments and came up with 5 rough categorizations of comments that I screen-capped: Clueless Dudes, Entitled Males, FreezePeach, Misogynistic ManSplainers, and Victim Blaming. Some comments could be in more than one category, but divisions needed to be made somewhere (it’s such a pleasure seeing so many graduations of misogyny). Oh yes there are a smattering of non vile responses, but those are for a different post.

So here we go, category one – Clueless Dudes.

Clueless Dude Analysis/Response: Wow, so much fail, so little time. Let’s respond in order.

#1. Women in public are not obligated to say or do anything. The men in this video were trying to elicit a response or commentate on her physical stature. This is not conversation, it is harassment.

#2. Should we speak in nothing but hyperbole when defending the status-quo that benefits you so much?

#3. Would it really make your day if so many of these comments were preludes to asking for sex or touching that you have not asked for? The good ship male experience sails in the calmest of waters.

#4. Ah, you’d be surprised what a relief it is for many women who age out of, or fat out of or whatever out of, the category of women who get unwanted male attention. The transition from harassment target – girl I’d like to fuck – to invisible to the male eye penis is a reality for almost all women.

#5. Would any comment sections about female harassment be complete without some evo-devo-pysch bullshit? Let me know how your hunt goes Jonny Tan whilst the females gather roots and berries… (pro-tip: That whispering you hear is civilization and progress proving your low opinion of males and humanity comes directly from your rectum).

Category Two – Entitled Males.

Entitled Male – Analysis/Response

#1. There is just so much wrong packed into this comment. He makes the assumption that men and women are equal in social situations and doubles down with the stupid notion of “silence” being uncomfortable to him. Please note Frankotronify, you can take measures that will dispel you problem with silence (see any mp3 player/radio) that startlingly does not infringe on the rights of others.

The highlighted text says – “I don’t care if I make you feel uncomfortable by talking to you in public, it is my basic human right to have human interactions and stripping me of my right to speak with strangers is fucking inhumane, to say the least”.

Wow, dude… just wow. If you’re campaigning to be the poster boy of males feeling entitled to women and their attention I think you may have just won that award with that gem of a quote. Women do not own you anything – ever – and imposing yourself into another persons space is fucking shitty behaviour no matter how you square it.

Oh the humanity!! Women having status as full human beings and agency and shit. Truly the end of the world.

#2. First dude: No, you cannot. Use the context as a guide as to if she might want to initiate contact with you otherwise make the assumption that she’s just trying to get through her day and notes from your boner probably won’t brighten her day at all.

Second dude: You are actually correct, the feminist hivemind for daring men to treat women with respect will create a world wear noone will be interacting with anyone *evarrrrrr*!!!1!!!. Such hyperbole when the status-quo that favours the males is questioned.

Third dude: Ah, like the bright batsignal of gotham – tight jeans and a nice ass for a white girl mean its totally okay to creep on her. *facepalm*

#3. The pussysifcation of America! Is bringing civilization as we know it to its knees. How will modern society ever survive when it is not acceptable for random men to catcall a women?? Pro-Tip: If a woman is interested in speaking with you, she’ll take the time to come speak to you, otherwise assume that you’re just not that special a snowflake and carry on.

#4. Starts out almost like a positive comment but then goes sideways proclaiming that the street harassers were actually Gentlemen and you smearing them because she is making them look like potential predators.

So close, so close to actually getting what the experience is like for many women. How exactly do you tell the predator from the non predator? Best assumption is that all are predators until otherwise proven wrong. Shitty deal eh?

Back to the comment – ah…being filmed as female in public means you’re an attention whore and you should be ashamed. Ashamed for being female in public – the nerve.

The closing comment is so good – dude is completely oblivious to the differential power gradients in society and calls checkmate for comparing apples to oranges.

#5. Because I experienced bullying and harassment it should be okay for you too! Why not support a campaign to end harassment period. Also note that your harassment stopped – cool story bro, but the harassment doesn’t stop for women regardless of whether they stand up or don’t.

#6. Dude #6 thinks that the category of street toughs does not include the category of male. Also its not the MEN its the CULTURE, but don’t blame the men. Dude #6 also thinks that telling men to go fuck themselves is a surefire way for women to get men to stop harassing them, given dudes peaceable nature and entitled notions to women’s bodies I can’t possible see how that might be a bad strategy…

Category 3 – Freeze Peach – Also known as my right to verbally be an asshole is great than your right to your humanity.

Freeze Peach – Analysis/Response

#1. Yes Ryan O, you are only to use Tinder from now on ever. As a matter of fact, please stop using you vocal chords in the vicinity of women, pronto. I’m thinking that not being an asshole is not infringing on your right to free speech. Also, do you really think that women are not harassed in Saudi Arabia?

#2. Yep, it is time to roll back the constitution women are demanding not to have “good morning” said to them. I’m thinking that many times after the innocent good morning women often get something like “Do you wanna fuck?” Kinda blows the hell out of the innocence of good morning dontcha think?

#3. I have no idea what the first part of the message is other than a weirdly phrased argument from incredulity. Second sentence seems to confirm the idea that Freedom of Speech = Right to harass women, which of course, is utter bullshite. And, of course full marks for getting in some victim blaming. *bleh*

Category 4 – Misogynistic Mansplainer – Well ladies, this is how it works for me as a dude, so therefore it should work for you too…

Misogynistic Mansplainer Analysis/Response.

#1. As a woman you should magically know what others intent is and their intent should override any sort of judgement of how she feels about the situation to avoid being a selfish person… A great strategy for women, said no woman ever.

#2. Apparently unless you’re being physically assaulted its all just fun an games. Oh and #2 is very concerned about your ‘normal looks’ his boner is having a sad.

#3. Argle-bargle to you to muffin!

#4. I’m very glad that by your standards almost no harassment has taken place. Other women might see it slightly differently.

#5. Oh punter number 5, you just don’t get it do you? Things are different socially for men and women – so the shit that works for you won’t work the same for women. Hard to believe but “male” isn’t the default experience for everyone.

Category 5 – Victim Blaming

Victim Blaming – Analysis/Response

#1. Apparently acting “like a princess” is a surefire way to get harassed in the street. The other way is being female.

#2. No explanation required.

#3. See #2.

#4. Probably about the same amount, as punter #4 doesn’t realize that the only ingredient needed to be harassed is being female.

#5. Again witness the keen entitlement of males to woman’s space for the good of the species no less. And of course the usual sexy clothing = asking for harassment meme.

And so we come to the end of our merry little adventure in screen caps – all of the answering the very pressing question of why indeed do we need feminism and people speaking out against harassment.