Posted on 08/29/2014 2:47:47 PM PDT by Sherman Logan
I believe that all of the male posters on FR have never treated a woman like this (and us ladies thank you all for being gentlemen).
I agree that she lumps a lot in with catcalling and much of what she cites could be considered assaults and menacing.
Some years ago I worked in downtown Denver and walked to lunch at various places, to and from the bus stop, etc. and would also run errands in the burbs on weekends. There was quite a bit of construction going on here and there. The 1st time construction workers whistled at me, I was a little embarrassed (I was fairly shy). I saw an article or a passage in a book (don’t recall which right now) that said “scorn not the street compliment”. It was talking about whistles or complimentary yells (usually by construction workers). I started looking at being whistled at a bit differently and turned around and told a few of them “thank you” - - they weren’t expecting that and the looks on some of their faces was priceless.
When I was in my 20s and 30s, I had guys turn around and look or chat me up in line at the grocery store (not trying to sound proud or that I looked like a movie star). But, thankfully, I’ve not had the experiences she’s had and can only recall one time when a guy was totally disrespectful - I was on a crowded bus and had to stand. A guy standing next to me grabbed my behind - I was wearing high heels and stomped the heel of my shoe down on the top of his foot. He got a very painful look on his face and squeezed his way to another part of the bus.
I know there have been societal changes over the years (songs with “Ho”, etc.) and that there are creeps and stalkers out there, but it’s been my experience that if one dresses and acts like a lady and expects to be treated like one, she usually will be - -maybe I’ve just been lucky.
If a guy grabbed you, that wasn’t catcalling or menacing, it was assault.
In most states what you describe would be considered some degree of sexual assault.
I’ve been thinking about this issue since last night. I was involved in this discussion on the NRO page also. A good many of the posters there defended the catcallers, which I found appalling.
Then I remembered some of the threads about bullying on FR, and how invariably some defend the bullies.
I think there is, most unfortunately, a nasty thread of sadism in some conservatives, taking pleasure in hurting, humiliating and intimidating those who are weaker. I think it is the opposite of true gentlemanly and conservative behavior.
It is, BTW, the exact mentality of the Muslim ideologue, who demonstrates his superiority (to his own satisfaction) by dominating and pushing around women, children and dhimmis. It is also the attitude behind Nazism, fascism and communism, taking pleasure and pride in dominating over the defenseless.
It is the opposite of Christian chivalry, whereby those who are powerful demonstrate it by defending those who are weaker against the bullies.
I guess I can understand how someone could get a temporary charge out of pushing someone weaker around. I simply cannot understand being proud of or defending it. Were I to engage in such behavior I’d be ashamed and hope nobody ever found out.
I suspect in most cases it is a symptom of feeling weak and powerless yourself, and trying to compensate by making others feel even more powerless.
It depends on where you go. I experienced catcalls in NY and Baltimore, and that’s about it. Men in rural areas are more civilized.
I'm going to have to look that one up. I learn something new every day on FR.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.