From elementary school, where boys made bets to try to lift my top to see if my breasts were real leaving me feeling humiliated when it finally happened. I was 9 years old. Boys will be boys right? To middle school boys trying to snap bra straps, making disgusting comments to me just for eating a popsicle “She must be a slut for eating a popsicle like that,” or going in for a boob grab during flag football in PE. To high school, where no apparently doesn’t mean no and rejections result in being called derogatory names and having false rumors spread to ruin your credibility when you try to tell anyone.
To the time I had to walk home from school where three well liked guys followed me, walking closely behind me, they detailed how they would like to rape me and then throw my body in a ditch. I felt they were trying to goad me into running or conversation. I never looked back or quickened my pace, determined not to show them any fear for satisfaction. When I had told people, the boys said it was a prank, one even asked me to prom a year later. When I angrily responded, some girlfriends felt I had been too harsh.
To adulthood where cat calling, having construction workers grab your ass while waiting at a cross walk, or men inappropriately rubbing up or touching you on a crowded bus are daily occurrences many women, myself included live through. My college roommate told me her friend had cum thrown in her face on bart. The sad thing is, it’s not even that unusual just not often talked about.
To having male bosses sniff my hair when trying to show them my work, writing me up for distracting them with my wardrobe, or when presenting them my portfolio/ideas conversation often goes to if I have a boyfriend or some remark about my physical appearance. I’ve even had men refuse to look at my work because my portfolio cover was too ‘girly’ for them, but that in itself is another conversation that constantly needs to be had.
At a previous job, after months of sexual harassment from clients that ranged from inappropriate language and touching to mild stalking and to threats of rape, I had went to my boss and complained of feeling unsafe and no longer wanting to work alone or nights. I was told that this is the city and I can’t be so sensitive. I quit a week later.
To a month ago, where I was walking to a bathroom at a local bar and a guy came out of nowhere and tried to stick his hand down my pants. The fact that I feel like I need to carry a weapon, be a martial arts master, or wear an Ironman suit in order to get through life unscathed is insane when you actually think about it. Why should I feel like I have to constantly adapt to survive in a world of sexual harassment when the world should adapt to reconstruct its culture, to address its “crisis in masculinity” as some are calling it.
To be clear, I’m not saying all men are pigs or sexual harassment falls entirely on one gender. It doesn’t and no one person regardless of gender, race, or orientation should ever experience such events.
It seems when you try to talk about sexual harassment people become very defensive and try to pick apart your story or shut you down, labeling you a complainer or liar. Just another fear of never wanting to discuss it. If you are one of these people, I suggest not commenting negatively on mine or any others post. People are sharing deeply personal experiences and their bravery should be supported not degraded for your ego. I’m merely presenting a condensed story of some of my experiences to show the importance of the #metoo movement, the lifelong cycle of sexual harassment, and show solidarity with the many other people who are participating.
It’s hard to talk about and harder to get people to listen. I’ve even had people in my life ask me not to tell them of my experiences, current or past, because it makes them uncomfortable. It should and we should all feel uncomfortable.
—natalie kunkel
Flommist Natalie Kunkel will always be more Liz Lemon than Victoria Secret model. Copyright © 2016 Natalie Kunkel.
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