What the catcalling video gets wrong | FACTUAL FEMINIST

Have you seen the KZbin video that shows an attractive young woman being harassed by men in the streets of New York City? It’s attracted more than 33 million views so far. Some say stopping the verbal assault of women in the street is the new frontier for human rights-and they see this video as a critical tool in raising awareness. Could they be right?
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Partial transcript:
Have you seen the KZbin video that shows an attractive young woman being harassed by men in the streets of New York City? Well, it’s had attracted than 33 million view so far. Some say stopping the verbal assault of women in the street is the new frontier for human rights-and they see this video as a critical tool in raising awareness. Could they be right? That’s coming up next on the Factual Feminist. Now, street harassment can be very annoying and it’s possible this video will do some good as a reminder to men that women often don’t appreciate it. But the feminist anti-harassment group that put out this video -Hollaback-it does not merely want to improve public manners. It wants to raise consciousness about what life is like for women under patriarchy. According to this group, street harassment is “a power dynamic” that silences women’s voices and reminds them of their subordinate status. Its website calls street harassment “the most pervasive form of gender-based violence.”
Let's check some facts: The viral video ad was created by an agency that specializes in creating viral video ads. It’s a riveting bit of advertising, but it forces the complicated issue of street interactions into the simplistic, Oppression 101 victimology morality tale. It is propaganda, not evidence of a crime against womankind. The video gives the impression that the woman is relentlessly targeted. But we only see highlights from a ten hour shoot. We have no idea what happened during the other 9 hours and 58 minutes. Viewers are lead to believe the harassment took place everywhere in the city. But some writers at the website Mass Appeal took a careful look and were able to determine that most of the footage-80 percent-is from one street in Harlem and Times Square. If the ad makers would manipulate our perceptions about the where the harassment took place, what else might they manipulate? Hey, I am not blaming them. It’s an ad.
But here is a second and more serious problem. The video overrides critical distinctions. Unsolicited attention from strangers ranges from friendly comments, to rude and annoying jeers-to stalking. Why conflate these? Street interactions are complex, and context matters, is it night? or is it day? what’s the neighborhood? Some women might feel flattered or delighted by comments like “good morning, beautiful,” while others would be put off. Amanda Hess argued that comments from a male strangers like “How are you this morning? “are “just another unearned claim for a woman’s attention.” Well, anyone who has ever walked a city street knows that there are many annoying, unearned claims to your attention. If we deserve to be protected from comments, then what about panhandlers, evangelists with pamphlets, and Greenpeace volunteers with clipboards? I love the environment, but I don’t like being shamed for not stopping when they ask “Do you have a moment for the environment?” Personally, I’d probably prefer that a man whistled at me, than have to respond to that.
Urban streets are free spaces-not gated communities with a rigid set of bylaws. And the First Amendment applies as well. According to Hollaback’s mission statement, the group is hoping to find a way to inspire legislators and the police to take action. They’re vague about what precise actions they have in mind. But Northwestern Professor Laura Beth Nielsen is not vague at all. She wants a law prohibiting, “uninvited harassing speech or actions targeted towards individuals in public spaces on the basis of sex,” because it would “weigh in on the side of equality.” Equality? Is she serious? Harassment can happen anywhere, but it is more common in economically deprived neighborhoods.
#aei #feminism

[@QueenyMartha]

As a woman who has been even followed in the streets I agree with you 100%. I believe that thinking harrasment is someone saying "Hey beautiful" or "good morning" is trivializing REAL harrasment. We gotta stop being oversensitive and placing our emotions over rationality.

[@Loathomar]

***** Hey beautiful, good evening to you, I hope you have a good day now, god bless... Quadruple harassment! LOL

[@liesdamnlies3372]

Loathomar My god. You should be in jail. What would ever posses you to say such horrible, horrible things!?!?!

[@Loathomar]

***** I am pure evil... MWWUUAAHHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!!

[@HyperSonicSquall]

yeah, definitely the worst part of that video were those dudes following the woman and there's no doubt that happens because there's some messed up people out there. THAT is the problem, but it's sandwiched between a whole lot of non-problems

[@lolumaria]

I'm sure they were following you for your clever opinion, less criers more flyers

[@HushtheMag]

I don't Get it. Christina is a feminist.....but she uses logic and reasoning.

[@nehemiah7914]

I know right? I just discovered her, and I must admit that I was fairly startled when the title "Factual Feminist" came up, I was like...damn! What's the catch! Her coherence and centeredness is astounding.

[@kaleknelson8429]

and We love her for it. because there's a difference between some of the shit that people claiming to be feminists do and what an actual feminist is. when people say look up the definition, there should be a picture of this lady next to it

[@Tchado1000]

If all feminists are like Christina , I will happily call myself a feminist and join the cause , but sadly it isnt so I am not , and the new wave doesnt represent real feminists of intellect , integrity and equality.

[@advocatusdiaboli7669]

I thought telling someone good morning was just common curtesy.

[@dantemcr129]

+Pope Urban hahaha lol xD the fuck? true

[@leylastuber7397]

Well, would you say good morning to the same lady, if she walked by with a man on her side? If yes - good for you! If no - why is that? If it's only common courtesy, then it'd be also okay to do so in that situation.

[@leylastuber7397]

That's also absolutely true. I agree with you. The problem with sexism is, that it goes both ways. And it always depends on the situation an the "tone" of what you're saying. Like you consciously avoid giving compliments, I consciously avoid wearing make up with certain dresses. Although I wanna be pretty on some days, I won't dress up because of the harassment. (I live in Zurich, Switzerland btw.). There might also be pleasant compliments, sweet smiles - but most of them have this predatory undertone. Stuff like licking their tongue, while staring at you, making sounds like they're calling a dog... this is horrible. But I do know that nice guys are suffering because of those jerks as well. Which makes this issue a whole lot more complicate.I feel like many men who comment here take it personally, reacting in a "I'm not like that! I'm just saying hello!" - way. And I believe you. Most of you ;) But fact is, that there are other people, other guys who behave in that very threatening way. An it is reality. It's just not black and white. Let's just be aware of what we're doing and how we react. Brushing it off like it was nothing is ignorant. Blowing it out of proportion is also no way of handling it.

[@requiemforamerica8432]

LOL

[@IAmHoTSHoTzz]

We're animals, any form of danger is defined in our natural abilities, such as our fight, flight or avoidance system. Like our reflexes. When your hands are cold, but your legs are warm, that's when your body is telling you to run for the hills. Because when we're afraid, blood will flow from everywhere towards your legs, so that you can start running. Expression and body language is universal.

[@CrissyMoss]

It would be too easy for "harassing speach" to become "you disagree with me so you are going to jail." They are already getting it in some instances. A law like this would just make it easier. What a horrible idea.

[@jeremysears7402]

Exactly. They already have "manspreading" on the books in some states. And it's been used to attack minority men and even men on empty trains where no one is taking up space. These delusional people feed the state with money and extra powers to punish people over petty things.

[@albertmoreno6408]

We already bitch about how many people are in prison or court system in the USA but imagine if this became the law. Our prisons would be overflooded with harmless prisoners. Btw I don't agree with cat calling it's disrespectful but outlawing is a dangerous slippery slope.

[@tubblestop414]

+Albert Moreno catcalling can't be called disrespectful because there isn't even a real concrete definition for it,well from what i can see,there isn't...

[@canadiangopher4443]

I have gotten to the point now that I do not say hi to women on the street or on a bus etc, I just pretend they don't exist. I do not hold the door open for women anymore. I will not give up my seat on a bus for a woman. I will do nothing for women other than my wife and my family because I don't want to risk having one of these nutjob feminazis try and have me fired, or arrested etc, so the only women who exist now are my wife and my family members. If I see a woman getting beat up by her boyfriend I will ignore it, cause she is not a damsel in distress who needs a man to save her, she is a strong empowered female. If a woman is in a car accident and the car is on fire, she can get her own damn self out. Women want to call me a rapist/sexist/homophobe/racist just because I was born with a penis, well then why should I have any respect for them.

[@phays10]

+michael reynolds is it actually enforced?

[@PlanetJohnny]

4:38 "The women in this park? Well, they're mostly professionals in Manolo Blahniks who work in nearby law firms or government offices. The harassing men? They're homeless. They sleep outside on building stoops. I don't think it's the cat-callers who need to check their privilege. I think it's the women on Hollaback who need to check their facts". You see, this is why #GamerGate loves Based Mom. She doesn't buy into radical feminist hype, and she checks her facts. Also, let's be real here: whipping out your smartphone in Harlem to "record harassment" is gonna get you mugged far faster than it'll "prevent cat-calling". So good luck with that.

[@mauszx]

Don't make this about gamergate man.

[@liesdamnlies3372]

This is why the likes of AVFM, CAFE, and the MRM also like Based Mom. They might not agree with everything she has to say, but she's someone you could actually have a constructive debate with. She really does give a damn about equality of opportunity for all, instead of just asserting she does.

[@cryptexify]

Love it. "Check your facts, feminist!" Use their own words against them.

[@alsoknownas875]

ImTheDruggernaut Sorry, but I actually LIVE in Harlem, and that's an ignorant fucking statement, and it makes me angry that you would generalize that area and that population in that manner. There's shitty parts of Harlem, but most of it is fine. Go fuck yourself, with your ignorance.

[@PlanetJohnny]

Also Known As Well then I apologize. I meant the shitty part(s) of Harlem.

[@zukodude487987]

And when guys get catcalled then its a privilege.

[@eduardoquinonez2929]

Because we live in a society where men are not often called beautiful. Only if they are born with the genetic markers that give them good looks, but that's about it.. We don't wear makeup. Women are catcalled if they look beautiful, whether they have make up on or they are born with good looks. It's a blessing and a curse either way on both sides. Just like the Target boy (Alex, I think his name was.) His picture was taken an posted on the internet without his consent and it went viral. Beautiful people faced both compliments to their beautiful looks and harassment from people that don't really have anything better to do. Like Factual Feminist said, the people doing the catcalling are those that are homeless and living on the street.

[@zukodude487987]

Eduardo Quinonez I don't think that even if we wore make up it would make a difference, women are just naturally the attractive gender.

[@SpencerWho22]

+Asuka best waifu ✌🏼️

[@jackhousman6637]

You ever BEEN catcalled, genius?

[@lizzylagoon]

+Jack Housman I'm fairly certain she has been catcalled I mean she's been a young woman before

[@coweatsman]

Traffic lights make unearned claims to my attention. Bastards!

[@jesusnthedaisychain]

+coweatsman But when you run a red light, you're doing so without the light's consent. And when you speed through a yellow light, that's really iffy ground.

[@Arodec]

+jesusnthedaisychain The current age of feminists would argue that if you drive past a green light, which obviously later turns into a red light, it's rape.

[@Saucy_Beans]

+coweatsman Yeah I feel your pain. I personally take offense to give way signs they inhibit my life choices by stopping me from moving freely. Damn you oppressive Yield signs! They're obviously part of the patriarchy...

[@curt6285]

+Aernir it must be right lmao

[@Bookworm51485]

😂😂😂😂

[@Eltercero]

Please. Why are you ruining an ideological narrative with facts?

[@bradleyruest6863]

At first I thought you were actually upset. Then I recognized the sarcasm and had myself a little giggle 😅

[@requiemforamerica8432]

facts are kryptonite to feminists :p

[@IceDragon978]

You say that, but someone identifying as a feminist just laid out all the facts lol

[@AndrooUK]

IceDragon978 Christina is an oldschool feminist, not a new age, third wave, libtarded, fascist feminist.

[@IceDragon978]

I know that.

[@mjarbo]

The woman that runs Cards Against Harassment has a similar set of videos. And most of them are in lower-income areas, and from Black males. I think there is a similarity between Hollaback and Cards Against Harassment's shooting locations.

[@TheOrion2728]

All I see is a group wanting to elevate the rights and privileges of one group over another based on the sex... Just as the Obama administration is trying to elevate the rights and privileges of one group of people over the other groups based on race.

[@Loathomar]

Rob Smith Obama administration is trying to elevate the rights and privileges of one group of people over the other groups based on sex far far more then anything based on race. Evidence for privileges of one group of people over the other groups based on race?

[@sobereyes4986]

***** "This video wouldn't be possible in higher income areas because of the nature of those areas. Rich people choose to live in areas where there is very little through traffic" Currently living in a rich neighborhood, I can tell you that there is plenty of through traffic, but you're right that the video wouldn't be possible in that kind of neighborhood, by dint of the fact that people tend not to say anything at all to one another, let alone catcall, and thus no usable footage. "I guarantee you that if this video took place in a low income white neighborhood the results would be the same" Just so you know, your guarantee =/= evidence. Provide evidence for your claim, or bullshit will be called. "The point of the video isn't about who is doing the catcalling." It's not about catcalling at all, as much of it isn't classifiable as catcalling in the first place. It's about street harassment, that comes in the form of ANYTHING said to a woman, that wasn't desired, and thus labeled as harassment. This was all covered in the above video btw.

[@sobereyes4986]

***** Yeah see, if you say silly unsubstantiated things on the interwebs, sometimes people call you on it. Who knew.

[@sobereyes4986]

***** Correction: When you talk about things that you don't understand, and assert things that aren't true, some generous people (like myself) will seek correct you.

[@TheTundraTerror]

Harassment is *repeated* unwanted attention by a single entity. Yes, words actually mean things.

[@ZedrikVonKatmahl]

Words mean what feminists want them to mean.

[@N00BSYBORG]

Hardly any of the guys in the video were repeatedly trying to talk to her. And no just talking to a person isn't harassment.

[@kh2yknow]

Saying good morning isn't harassment, that's like calling rape if someone bumps into you.

[@AngeloArcana]

old account You haven't seen the article about "fart rape" have you? Warning: It may cause your IQ to drop a few points.

[@TheTundraTerror]

Angelo Arcana Fart rape? Is that what happens when you're the first person to pass out drunk at a party?

[@bude8234]

"unearned claim for a woman's attention". Someone please tell me what the hell this means? I have to "earn" a "claim" for a woman's attention????? How on earth does one do that???? What would one do to earn this claim??

[@oldmoviemusic]

+Bud E Apparently women's attention is now equivalent to gold mining in the Yukon...

[@fv2977]

+Bud E It sounds like someones excuse for using ad block.

[@ROGUEJOURNALIST]

Slay a couple dragons

[@blueskythinking4745]

Tip your fedora..

[@Clavitz1]

+Bud E i get this feeling it's about they don't want your attention unless they are the ones that initiate it first, so saying all men should shut up and only be able to talk to another women once she's spoken to them first.

[@sensationaldenny]

Christina Hoff Sommers is an incredible women doing incredible work.

[@khaorix2667]

+Denny Sensation Yeah, she has to be multiple to do that. Sorry. Your incorrect grammar triggered me. Couldn't resist.

[@LecherousLizard]

Payne M Using words without knowing their actual meaning, eh?

[@Angell_Lee]

SHE'S A TRAITOR TO US WOMEN!!!!!!!

[@zally8183]

You only consider her to be great because she's the only feminist who isn't a crazy, narcassistic bitch.

[@Arkantos117]

They must've walked past tens of thousands of men to get footage of that precious 0.0001%

[@Loathomar]

Arkantos117 I did a ballpark of 6000, but I am not really sure of the average per block in NY, I used 20 people or 10 men per block, 1 block per min and 600 mins in 10 hrs. I also counted around 20 comments that I would call questionable. Things more then Hi, or good morning. And 5 that I would think are totally not OK. But 0.0001% would be 1 in 1 million. She clearly did not pass 1 million men, that would be ~28 men per second and only one harassed her. It is closer to 1 in 1000 or 0.1%.

[@kr1spness]

Loathomar You're on your way to being a factual feminist.

[@Arkantos117]

Twas hyperbole mon ami.

[@Loathomar]

Arkantos117 Twas, but I did the numbers and thought I might share the real (ballpark) statics.

[@Arkantos117]

Loathomar Yes, please do keep doing that. Most of us are too apathetic/lazy to ^.^ I used to be the bringer of truth, now i'm just a measly shitposter.

[@DoomRulz]

"Some women might be flattered or complimented." No, Christina. Those women are mere fools who have internalised this pervasive patriarchy which infects our culture. Quit being a harassment-apologizer. Sarcasm aside, another great video, as always. 4:56, BURN!!!!

[@connorsmith713]

That was very realistic. I almost gave it a thumbs down before reading the last sentence. Good job. sir.

[@yoonity9188]

Connor Smith Same hahaa.

[@Sodasaman]

same here lol,i was about to go trigger happy with the thumbs down (even though you can only do it once and they don't even matter now).

[@isento2952]

You pissed me off, then made me smile. Stop fucking with my emotions man!

[@DoomRulz]

mec loc you forgot "virgin fucker" 8-)

[@calipto4605]

Christina, you give me hope for genuine feminism.

[@copssuck7491]

Calipto, Feminism = special privileges for women ONLY. "Genuine feminism" would be women fighting to be drafted, equally sentenced for crimes, and to work dangerous jobs to take their share of the 95/94% of job deaths/serious injuries. Doesn't exist and never has.

[@ComeAlongKay]

There is no such thing as genuine feminism. Feminism from its very roots started as a militant offshoot of Marxism, they were bombing buildings and attacking other x feminists who pointed out that women were equally violent to men. Women are also actually more emtouankky abusive and probably more physically abusive now with all the campaigns against men.

[@scottcebulski4350]

I don't see any "genuine feminism" at all. I do see inappropriate assumptions that wealthy men don't do this sort of thing and that women should just accept SEXUALLY suggestive comments on the same level as Greenpeace surveyers. She checked off "victim blaming" suggesting that women who get these comments are prostitutes. She accepted the fact that police will misuse the intention of a potential law to harass men of color without any negative comment about the police. I've been waiting to see her engage with actual feminist ideas instead of fringe and radical ones, but I've watched several (and intend to watch more) and have yet to see her "feminism" at all.

[@depenthene]

I get harrasment in stores constantly. They say good day to me and then try to force feed me product samples.

[@roscoedash6673]

So these feminists basically want a world where they're only approached by people THEY want to approach them. If a random poor guy tries to talk to you, it's harassment, but if some celebrity like Ryan Gosling approaches you, then he just made your day. I wish these feminists would just be honest and say that they hate being hit on by guys they aren't attracted to, because that's all this video boils down to.

[@Sodasaman]

***** you can always give free word banks instead of more thumbs up.

[@whybag]

"How are you this morning?" THAT'S harassment now? What's galling to me is that they have an entire day of footage, straight through to night, did they not have enough actual harassing comments that they had to resort to "How are you" as somehow harassing?

[@Technodreamer]

Walking around in a big city like Manhattan, it is not polite to just start talking at a random passer-by. It's different from walking around in a suburb or smaller town.

[@joetrent9070]

Technodreamer Come on, that's disingenuous at best. And seriously, who get's to decide that greeting someone passing by isn't polite?

[@whybag]

Technodreamer What you're talking about is annoying. So the fuck what? I'd rather the dude at the grocery not start some stupid chit chat and just ring up my stuff , but that's not harassment.

[@TheSwamper]

Technodreamer If that's true, that's sad. I think the definition of polite needs to be revisited in those areas. Where I live, and it is more rural, it's perfectly common to wave, smile, say hello or good morning to total strangers. And I don't see how that's a bad thing.

[@Technodreamer]

TheSwamper What's the population density like where you live?

[@SpectacularName]

Way to go internet feminism! You have equated a mildly annoying comment made on the street to actual sexual harassment! Thanks for not being insane.

[@thehrchannel8983]

I agree that catcalling is stupid but getting the government involved is worst. Just don't give them any attention.

[@fwwaller]

"an unearned claim on women's attention" what a load of BS. If a person is nice and cordial to you, they have earned the right for you to be respectful back towards them. Yeah they haven't earned the right for you to sleep with them, but thought that she would know the difference. Seriously this girl has some fucking major social problems.

[@Loathomar]

fwwaller While I agree that it is BS, it is BS for a different reason. Saying "damn baby, you are so fine" does not "claim on women's attention", it is every woman's (and man's) right to give or not give that person comments attention. Attention is given and not claimed, outside of the use for force. I mean, you grab a women and you have "an unearned claim on women's attention", but you have also committed assault. The whole video is a women giving no attention to the "100+ men who 'street harassed' her"

[@fwwaller]

Loathomar You are right, women do have the right to not give attention, but it's only decent to actually give attention to things that are actually WORTH your attention. The way the girl shrugged off all legitimately nice comments with apathy was really unacceptable. I get that she deals with real harassment constantly, but that's not an excuse to treat people who are just trying to be polite like shit.

[@procedura55]

fwwaller It's funny that third wave feminists like to talk about safe spaces, but seem oblivious about the places where they go. Parks could be seen as "safe spaces" for the homeless that ordinary folks should be respectful of. People who are unemployed and sit out by the street for social contact, of course they're going to be chatty, they're bored. It's almost like they expect to be able to walk into a club and ask them to turn down the music because it's making them uncomfortable.

[@Loathomar]

fwwaller I do not feel that I have moral responsibility to decide if how people react to what other people say, either good or bad is acceptable or unacceptable. If you wish to bare that moral cross, more power to you, but I do not judge either way, so long as people are free to choose in there speech and actions.

[@montycantsin8861]

I would go one step further and say that the word "earned" and the idea of getting or giving attention shouldn't be in the same sentence, unless you get paid for receiving attention, like celebrities, news anchors, strippers, comedians, etc. Using the phrase "unearned claim on a woman's attention" is such a fucked up statement in all the subtle implications, I don't know where to begin. What it boils down to is paranoid rad-fem lingo for the idea that men feel entitled to women's attention, but that their attention is some commodity. I would laugh my ass off if there was a bloopers reel from this ad showing the girl walking into people, tripping on obvious obstacles, etc. It would tell me that she doesn't even feel that inanimate objects have earned her attention. Fascist patriarchal inanimate objects in the street!

[@alex-vs4jv]

This woman uses tools many modern feminists don't: logic and reason. Very, very, very impressed.

[@Phyiogambit]

im not sure ur impressed enough, 1 more 'very' should do it :)

[@alex-vs4jv]

Phyiogambit This woman uses tools many modern feminists don't: logic and reason. Very, very, very, VER, VERY, VERY, VERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVERYVEBNGJB VFJKBNKLBGTMFKLBGKLGFTMBKL; impressed.

[@saraaboulafia6752]

yeah most women are so emotional. they just think with their vaginas, and are always becoming so hysterical over little nothings like feeling physically intimidated and imposed upon and harassed. they're just so darn irrational, amirite? lolz, women.

[@Despara5T]

The women in the video doesn't look particularly attractive to me, she just looks like an average women walking down a street in a bad mood.

[@GoddoDoggo]

+Des para You don't have to be good looking to get catcalled. I am an average looking woman who often walks down the street in a bad mood, and I've been catcalled a lot, actually. I think the people who do it are usually just drunk or really lonely. Depending on the things they say, my responses vary from silence to "good day" to "piss off," but I wouldn't want them arrested unless they, like, actually threatened me or something.

[@Despara5T]

Lynne the Trendy Tetraodontiforme Do you live in the UK?

[@GoddoDoggo]

***** Uh, no? I live in the U.S. Why?

[@GoddoDoggo]

Thomas Paglione I learned "piss off" from my dad's family and "good day" from my mom's family. My dad's is from the east coast and my mom's is from the midwest, if that makes any difference.

[@GoddoDoggo]

***** Oookaaaaaay theeeeen.

[@get2rog]

Many years ago when I was in my early twenties I was working nights in an exclusive London nightclub to support myself through college. I was waiting tables. One night was particularly chaotic as we had a female celebrity who was celebrating her successful court case after being accused of tax evasion. I say successful but what that really meant was that she was found guilty and heavily fined but escaped going to jail for a long time. While I was working my way through the crowed with a tray in each hand this celebrity grabbed my crotch and didn't let go, saying, "what are you going to do now". I was twenty one, she was in her fifties. I was shocked by it and yes I felt violated but I could tell by her her expression and the sound of her voice she meant no ill or sexual intent and it was obvious alcohol played a significant part. My point is that although it was very wrong and extremely bad judgement on her partl, which left me feeling violated and humiliated, it didn't warrant such an extreme reaction as to accuse someone of something as serious as rape. In today's society it wouldn't be tolerated and indeed if the victim felt the need, they should report it, but rape is very explicit and by exaggerating every minor incident to the level of rape only serves to demonise those who are real victims of rape and make it all the more difficult for genuine victims to come forward and seek help.

[@joobletmaster5000]

Yeah, no my dude, that's an older woman exploiting her status as a celebrity to sexually harass a younger guy. What was in this video wasn't a problem, but what you're describing very much is a problem.

[@iforgot87872]

I’ve had drunk women in bars grope me out of the blue on a few different occasions as well. Can you please please tell me who this was I am sooo curious lmao

[@EisforEvil]

This is street annoyance, not harassment.

[@cdsworkshop2855]

Stalking *is* serious. Someone passing you by and saying "Hey, beautiful," is *not*. As Christina says, we should not conflate them.

[@skirtonbear1]

I really hate cat-calling. It makes one feel targeted. However, making a law against unwanted speech is ridiculous and dangerous. Parents must teach their kids to be respectful.

[@jennybrown5302]

These people cannot be serious... I weep for humanity when people are investing this much time, energy, and money into the "offense" of being greeted and complimented?! These people know there are REAL problems they could be addressing instead, right? It's POLITE AND MANNERLY to say things like "good morning, you look nice today" and "hey, how you doin". I say these sorts things, and when they are said to me -- even if i can tell by the tone that it wasn't intended nicely -- it's not hard to have a smidge of class and smile and say "I'm fine, how are you?" I mean shit, are we so anti-social already that we can't handle interacting with other humans? And computers+cell phones have only been around for what, a couple generations? We don't do these sorts of things ENOUGH anymore (genuine greetings and actually LOOKING at one another and ACKNOWLEDGING each other's existence) and so often we just view the other humans around us as annoying obstacles in our way that we have to navigate to get to where we're going. It's sad, and people who live this way will have a hard time appreciating the value of others. Not that I'm perfect about it by any means (I get frustrated in traffic jams and crowds), but damn. And don't get me wrong, I don't like rude or lewd comments, but unless it's the same person more than once, or following you and being rude and/or lewd so as to make you feel threatened, then it's just another rude person on the street. Like the bitches that flip you off cuz you bump them cuz they're walking while staring at cell phones. People need to calm themselves.

[@domydishes]

I hope you have a nice day. uh oh, prison here I come.

[@RaiosSephi]

Exactly but for some reason they can't get it into their thick skull!! Humans are social beings and should be mingling at times. And for some reason if people read your message... they will assume you're defending catcalling... WTF

[@charlesdarwin9830]

Especially when they greet her with a statement as sexist and demeaning to women as "good morning".

[@mikunt1]

addressing and fixing REAL problems requires REAL work. women like her get degrees in women's studies to avoid REAL work.

[@wtch9913]

Jenny Brown totally agree. the most irrational is when someone tells a feminist to smile and they go "OH THE PATRIARCHY THATS WHY WE NEED FEMINISM. WOMEN ARE ALWAYS EXPECTED TO BE HAPPY BLA BLA BLA" like jesus christ if you dont wanna smile no ones forcing you to but you cant go super sayan on others just because they want to see others happy. You know whats slightly more oppressive than being told to smile? Being obliged to be willing to give your life to protect women and children or you wont have voting rights (and a whole slew of other legal problems)

[@Siaynoq8]

I don't know....I mean, getting gang raped to death on a bus in India is one thing, but being hollered at on the street...That's just flat out unacceptable.

[@Graoutchmeuh]

I watched your video, and you call yourself a feminist, and for a moment it startled me. Something felt wrong. At the end of the video I understood what it was : we hear so much about "gender feminists", feminists who think not in term of equality of opportunity but in term of equality of outcome, that someone like you, someone reasonable, intelligent, not afraid to use critical thinking, calling yourself a feminist didn't quite fit in the feminist mold the french mainstream media made me believe in. Thanks.

[@AlexZorach]

Feminism is really diverse...I think it's easy to let people mischaracterize feminists by claiming to speak for all feminists or claiming to have a monopoly on the definition of feminism, whether it's people or organizations who self-identify as feminists, or people attacking the feminist movement from the outside. I definitely agree that, as I see things, feminism is more about equality of opportunity than equality of outcome. Sometimes it's hard to know where to draw this line though. I tend to think about consent as a slightly more objective guiding value than equality. Sometimes it's so hard to compare people's circumstances, that it's hard to know what equality looks like. I think consent works better as a guiding value, because if there's some sort of inequality, but everyone involved is consenting to this inequality, then there's no problem.

[@Graoutchmeuh]

Alex Zorach The point is : we don't hear enough feminists and too much crazy

[@PSandNintendFreak]

Graoutchmeuh But sadly the crazy is what goes through reason. It´s the same story for a person who never made a mistake in their life and one day makes a mistake - the thing that people will remember is the mistake, not the part about never making a mistake before. Same goes for serial killers - most people remember the name of the killers, but how many do you know that can name you even 3 of the vitcims names? It´s the same here. Reasonable intelligent comments and statements get shoved under unreasonable outrageous ones, because those are the ones that create the buzz, that garner attention - no one wants to read about the boring years of someone who is perfect, no one wants to read about perfectly normal people who got murdered - we want to see why he made that mistake and what it was, we want to see the one who goes around killing people while evading the police, how he killed them, especially from a psychological viewpoint, they are more interesting - I too, sadly, am often mislead by that. So I clicked on the "10 hours video" as well. Without "know your memes" I wouldn´t have stumbled upon this video. I hope it gets more attention, because this video is one of the few that made me agree with the commentor, unlike a lot of "extremist feminists" that hide under reasonable pretexts.

[@Big-Papa-Smurf]

I used to take catcalling seriously until one day a women called me a pig for "catcalling" her *DOG*, when I called it a "good looking puppy". 100% true story.

[@Niqoleh]

Medicine Man oh men are you sure she wasnt kidding?

[@Big-Papa-Smurf]

I'm sure she wasn't, but my theory is she may have thought I was talking about her and not her dog.

[@pinkgal206]

Medicine Man lol

[@HeliRy]

What then to do about female catcallers? Oh wait, I just remembered..... it's only sexual harassment when men do it.

[@teliagarner]

Film me some female catcallers and we'll talk about it. Until then keep your trap shut and your "MENS RIGHTZ" tears to yourself.

[@HeliRy]

Lol, well ain't you a gem.

[@teliagarner]

thank u

[@TheEVNH]

Telia Garner True, it's not as frequent, but it happens a hell of a lot more than you think.

[@teliagarner]

***** But not so often that you feel legitimately threatened on the street, frequently. I know it happens. I get it. But its really a non-issue when compared to how often it happens to women.

[@Loathomar]

I re-watched the video and counted how many I thought was at least questionable street harassment (those that are more then "hello" or "have a nice day") and found that there was about 20 and I am guessing the video showed the worst of the worst in 10 hours. I would also say there was about 5 that where clearly not ok. But how many men would this women passed in 10 hours of walking? With a walking rate of 1 block per min and 10 men per block that would be 6,000 men meaning 1/300 did a questionable street harassment act and less that 1 in 1,000 did a street harassment act that was clearly not ok.

[@steveaustin4118]

Considering it's an agency you could conceive that some of them are actors

[@Loathomar]

Steve Austin Yes, I was working off the idea that it was real. I mean there was not much over the top. Not one blatant request for a sex act and most where so tame that it bugs most people that it is being called harassment. Most of the "harassment" where people saying hi or "have a nice day" or things of that nature. I think it is far to say if you think that is harassment, you live an extremely privileged life.

[@anarkilp]

well hello Steve Austin

[@steveaustin4118]

Loathomar Considering in the article it says there were whistles yet none in the video, what would you put a hi or someone whistling at you? Also it says that she didn't hear all the comments it was the microphones that picked them up

[@steveaustin4118]

Steve Austin well hello

[@ZURATAMA1324]

Let's make "Check your facts." a new trend on the internet! It is certainly a healthier trend than "Check your privilege."

[@stegomasaurus6737]

Yes, the standard retort to the privilege line methinks.

[@roelani]

I'm totally using that next time I wander over to tumblr.

[@ZURATAMA1324]

roelani kadmon Now that I think about it, 'Check your facts.' is a good comeback to 'Check your privilege.' "Check your privilege you white-cis-homophobic-ableist-culture appropriating-male!" "No, you check your facts."

[@DrBitchcraft.]

The only time I don't like a catcall when I get legitimately scared; walking late at night, nobody else there except me and the catcaller :/ or when it's super offensive kind of catcall T_T

[@rgiri77]

+NemoRosa700 Men are equally scared late at night. It's a survival mechanism to get a jolt adrenalyn when you're alone and you hear footsteps behind you. Also men are 10 times more likely to be the victim of physical violence than women which happens far more than rapes, so logically they should be more intimidated by walking round late at night. The media doesn't present statistics only figures which groups are easier to scare. Question: you seem a reasonable person which is why I ask, if you're worried about rape (I'm inferring this you didn't say) why not carry a pepper spray? It's just something I've always wondered but like I said you less likely to be a victim of physical violence than a man if you look at the crime statistics.

[@DrBitchcraft.]

***** I think in my country it's illegal to carry a pepperspray (I'm not sure though, should look into it). statistics don't calm me down much because fear is most of time irrational, isn't it ^^ and I do know that men are likely targets as well (I just stated my own fears). I'm worried about being killed and rape, anything that somebody could do to hurt me. Also because the small population my city has, most of the time the streets are empty after 10pm so if somebody is following you, nobody else will see it or is able to help :/

[@rgiri77]

NemoRosa700 If you live in america it is not illegal. I live in the UK and carrying a can of hairspray with the purpose of defending yourself is illegal which I think is insane. I would love it if feminists campaigned for that law to be changed to reduce the numbers of rape but since defense issues seem to always provoke the ire of civil rights activists and for some reason feminists like to make black issues their pet project I'm not holding my breath.

[@khaorix2667]

+Giri Ramgopal In France, carrying pepper spray is legal, as long as it's under 100 milliliters. Not sure why, but here it is.

[@blast2686]

@@Formerlywendytestaburger1621 Wendy is good at kicking butt

[@lambd01d]

I get loads of people who come up to me saying things about being tall. "Do you play basketball?" etc. It's also unwelcome. I don't make videos about it. I just ignore it and get on with it, unlike certain feminists. No-one is writing articles about my experiences, nor should they.

[@cayucossurfer]

+lambd01d THIS. so much. omg. its like youre in my mind

[@MrJobocan]

Being called beautiful is SUCH a bad thing. I hate it when people give me compliments.

[@jajo9548]

it's just the worst isn't it?

[@RedDevilJohnson]

Great video, and that "check their privilege" bit at the end was a real KO punch.

[@julesfreis6813]

It might not be PC to say it, but most men doing the cat calling in the street do not look like part of the 'white' power structure. Unless 'white' has become some sort of metaphysical term nowadays.

[@edmilsoneletrica]

Hahahhaa Loved the "metaphysical term". It's a poorer neighborhood. That's the real reason.

[@Music_Lover0612]

This was filmed in Harlem. Duh

[@EsotericOccultist]

After hundreds of hours in the trenches battling misandrist feminists, to finally hear one say the things i do is..i dont know, i cant even describe it. Im in shock right now. I almost want to cry. You have a new fan

[@Genenat]

The issue is not about making laws here. Of course you cannot curb free speech. But the mere fact that so many men commenting on the internet actually defend the cat-callers in the video is very disappointing. If not that, they blame women in general for being oversensitive. At the very least, cat-calling is unacceptable behaviour which needs to be recognized as such. If straight men encountered such comments from gay men as frequently as this, they would also dislike this behaviour. Now also imagine if most gay men were physically stronger than the straight men and then they touched them inappropriately or stalked them. This behaviour is disgusting and intimidating at the same time. When something like that happens often, any well-meaning gay man saying 'Hi handsome' would trigger anger and would be considered as harassing. Men need to try to put themselves in women's shoes and try to understand them instead of instantly attacking them for being over-sensitive.

[@donnaharris0207]

+Genenat I am a woman, and you are being oversensitive. Greetings from passers by is not harassment. The women being so rude about it are an embarrassment to womankind.

[@PolarBear21]

Genenat I'm a guy and I have been catcalled by a gay guy. I replied thanks and then took a selfie so I would remember the outfit, cuz if it's works for a gay guy, it should work for the ladies too...

[@Genenat]

Nikolas Michael I am not saying that every verbal comment should be branded as harassment. I only tried to explain women's perspective as to why they don't appreciate it. Perhaps it's over-reaction but there is a reason behind it. When you try to understand the reason perhaps you won't be so angry at women not appreciating attention on the street. That was my only aim for the comment. Also, I wasn't talking about violent crime victims. I was talking about street harassment victims such as lewd remarks and molestation and women are afraid of that. Men are more often victims of violent crimes because they are not afraid of retaliating whereas most likely if a woman is touched she is too intimidated by the fact that the man is stronger to do anything about it.

[@Genenat]

Donna Harris Perhaps because you come from the west and it doesn't happen so often there. I come from India and street harassment is a big problem. If every time you go out you get commented upon every 10 min then even a simple 'hi lovely' is bothersome. Perhaps you haven't experienced so much harassment so you don't understand others who have. Better not to brand me as 'oversensitive' when you have no idea of my personal experiences and also the personal experiences of other women.

[@Genenat]

Dzonatan Gavert If you are suggesting that men get harassed on the street as often as women do then you are ignorant. Also, just because you are 'dealing with it' does not make you super cool. If you don't like it, then complain about it. If it doesn't bother you personally then fine. But don't stop others from complaining about something they don't like.

[@MindsAblaze]

Basically guys the message is don't talk to women! Do not pursue them! Do not pay them any attention. Focus on improving yourself instead and let them chase you.

[@SonoTom]

very good - not the lesson they wanted, but the one they need.

[@PassportGang]

That's really the mindset you should have to begin with.

[@RaiosSephi]

If "Catcalling" turn into crime, everyone will be afraid to greet anyone. They could be sentenced to imprisonment for just plainly greeting somebody

[@sopleasedtomeetU]

The viral video she's talking about actually improved my quality of life. The men on my street saw it and overnight stopped begging for attention. The were able to see it from the woman's perspective. They had no idea they sounded like that. That's what was missing. Any legislation would be stupid and wrong obviously. But to be able to see the situation from the other side means people can be less at odds. Now when the guys address me to say good morning or whatever they just mean good morning- the sexual overtones are gone and I can say hey back without feeling like I'm bringing their negativity on myself. Or I can initiate the interaction without being afraid they're going to think it's a sexual invitation. For me this is good, I like a friendly neighborhood.

[@GamergateCaGroup]

Based mom gets out the BOOM STICK!

[@CyborgWolf]

As a disabled person a lot of people say hello to me in the street, ask if I need help and are a little "pressing" like trying to speak with me even if I don't really have time and everything. Like, it happens at least 2/3 time every time I go in the street (big city). They don't mean harm, they don't wanna hurt me or anything. They are just... I don't know, not very good at interacting ? I get that sure, its not "cool" to hear those thing a lot of time but hey, people notices me its better than being invisible x) But if I take the logic of the feminist video then, it mean that i'm harassed since it happens a lot of time ? Well, I'm a man, so no I guess but if I was a woman ? This logic is dangerous.

[@briandonovan1584]

How right you are Dr. Sommers. I'm a civilized 50 year old white man and I have always cringed when women get catcalled in the street but I think women who are outraged by it really need to thicken their skin. I used to be catcalled to the extreme when I was younger and walking through the Castro District of San Francisco (the heart of the gay community in SF). I was never offended by it even though it was pretty outrageous ... Rather, I took it with a grin and a chuckle and as a compliment. I have lived in Latin America for a decade now and many young women down here have felt bad when visiting the US because of so little catcalling ... "why do American men think we're so unattractive?" being a common lament. I tell them its not considered polite among civilized men in the US. Its a cultural thing and not considered demeaning in any of the three Latin American countries in which I have lived over ten years. Bottom line ... Don't you dare take away my freedom of speech/expression ... For any reason whatsoever!

[@oscarpalaciosruiz]

I don't know in which countries you've lived in, but here in Mexico, among middle-class people this is also becoming a thing. There's a copycat video of Mexican girls walking in a run-down neighborhood and getting cat-called.

[@streled5361]

Where's the 10 hours version?

[@assortedhuman5168]

+Stre Led On the cutting room floor...

[@AlineaEuros]

So, we cant even say anything to people now without it being considered harassment? this world is becoming very sad.

[@CssHDmonster]

they also only included black men in video,they editted out the white men

[@Loathomar]

KelloPudgerro Other then the word of the people who made the video, do we have any evidence that white men where edited out? I am not suggesting white men never do street harassment, but I am not willing to simply take the word if the people who made the video.

[@cdsworkshop2855]

Even if that's true, that would mean the people who made the video approved of, if not personally made, the decision to cut them out. Which still makes them just as big of con artists.

[@CssHDmonster]

***** do abit of research before trying to shitpost me

[@ninjaone1]

KelloPudgerro stop shitposting his shitpost, shitpost.

[@CssHDmonster]

ninjaone1 i shitposted before u knew what shit is

[@fishi4296]

A man did the same thing for less than 4 hours and didnt even go into sketchy neighborhoods.. He got more footage than the one with the woman

[@hw7202]

Prove your claim!

[@nickbalis9181]

I want to give this woman a hug.

[@alsoknownas875]

Maybe Anita Sarkeesian will one day follow Sommers' model of presenting these things called "facts" and maybe bolstering her arguments with things like "data" and "research". ...maybe.

[@jonathanjanzen3109]

Hey, Anita has done loads of research. She stared in the mirror for hours on end until her ideas popped in her head and she became the brilliant researcher she is. Then she compiled the data in the form of big sounding words that sounded impressive when combined. So yeah, "data" and "research."

[@alsoknownas875]

Jonathan Janzen lol pretty much.

[@GrandElemental]

Maybe... But in the real world, she probably just sticks with stealing content from Let's players about games she has probably never played and then makes this "evidence" to project the pre-determined results. A true woman of science, clearly.

[@rendarsmith]

I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

[@saltyginger3481]

at 3:35 you can see that at the website they tried to compare their advertisement to Rodney King! What!?! Rodney King was mercilessly beaten down with batons and that is supposed to compare to someone talking to you on the street without your permission? hmmmm

[@MrsKamper]

Thank you ever so much for posting this video. I am no stranger to the catcalling of New York City. As at matter of fact, I live in East Halem and I work downtown. On pleasant days, as a form of exercise, I would walk from work to my home (roughly a span of 85 city blocks.) Within those 85 blocks, I do get the wolf whistles and the "Hey baby, let me get your number." But out of the hundreds or possibly even thousands of men I walk pass, I get about 5-7 comments of what i deem inappropriate. "Hey, you got a fat ass," or "Let me smash" are quite inappropriate no matter which way you turn it. However, I don't see how a stranger wishing you a good day or saying hello is deemed harassment. They are trying to start a conversation like any other human being. If you show you're not interested, the majority of them will just carry on with their day. Is no one allowed to talk to anyone anymore? I totally believe in equal rights for all humans. I also applaud those feminist that fought for our rights to vote and have the same equal opportunities as or male counterparts, but laws against having men say "Hello beautiful??" That is quite questionable. That means men can also create laws forbidding woman from saying "Hello, handsome" because they find it as a form of harassment. I just think these new feminists need to know where to fight and how to do so.

[@aaron4820]

I was walking around in London with a friend at one point and some black woman loudly announced "I LOVE THAT GUY", which we paid zero attention to initially, and the next moment the same woman put her arm around my arm and starting walking with us, asking me what I'm doing and let's go and have some fun, I made a few jokes to try to shake it off, the whole thing was sort of hilarious to begin with, but she hung on for a good few minutes, which felt like a really long time until she eventually left us alone... this was 2pm on a Sunday afternoon...

[@nothingherebutmemories488]

Im a male and I've been cat called multiple times...

[@unshapenedpython8974]

i'm a dude that works at 7-11 and i get a lot as well

[@unshapenedpython8974]

everyone

[@unshapenedpython8974]

A bit of both in all honesty. Depends on my mood and if i have patience for it. I like to Work at my work place and if i'm behind i don't like being interrupted, however if I'm ahead i do like to take in what i can get. Most of it, I find, is harmless. Had a few people who come off strong, but if you stop and reason for just a moment things will be cool afterwards, turning it into an inside joke. Only had one person who'd get to the point where it was harassment. I'm a passive person and i just ignored it. Sooner or later she just gave up, she didn't like that i rejected her and was very... nasty about it, putting it politely. However still she just gave up.

[@AndrooUK]

Lyon Jealous over here. More people catcall me, please! Grope my bum, titillate my senses! It's only harassment if you keep on doing it after I say no.

[@MaeriTheAlien]

I had an older person (probably over 70) apologize for staring at me on the bus because they "thought my eyes were beautiful" and that "I should get someone to paint me." I thought it was the sweetest thing ever and I don't think I've blushed that hard ever.

[@Zoe-qu7nq]

"Good morning" and "Hey baby, can we hang out later?" is very different ESPECIALLY if you are a minor and the catcaller is old enough to be your father. If you think yelling out of your car at a girl and scaring her is an act of affection, you're not only making yourself look unrespectable but you're making that girl feel like trash. If you think a guy whistling at you is flattering, you don't know your worth.

[@kever905]

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE YOU AS THE FACE OF WOMEN RIGHTS OF THE MODERN AGE?!

[@nilo469]

"Good morning, beautiful." I need guys like that on my way to work.

[@Phyiogambit]

Tell me where u work, and ill come over beautiful :)

[@JustNoAmbition]

Phyiogambit smooth....

[@BlueSky-qv7cd]

Women only think catcalling is offensive, when its done by men they don't find attractive.

[@joobletmaster5000]

I mean...personally, I would find it offensive no matter what if a man started shouting profane or sexual things at me, whether he looked like Quasimodo or a god. The things they shouted in this video weren't offensive, and were actually flattering in most cases. I really hope you've learned more about women in the past three years.

[@alexandrebeaudry1038]

I'm a men i have i been "catcalled" once. I was really sad on that day after a breakup and a women just told me i look beautiful. This made my day. This is why the first time i saw that video i was amaze by the topic of calling "criminal" a good morning. I felt exactly the opposite of that. Some part of that video could have been titled "strangers are amazing." And i know everything is not all sunshine. I have been threatened on the street just because i was smilling. It's not a case of gender equality.

[@Vilverna]

I think you do a great injustice by not pointing out that annoying people should just be ignored. honestly, life would be so much easier for people if they just stop giving attention to the wrong people.

[@archstanton3430]

I describe myself as anti-feminist, but come on, we don't have to pretend street harassment isn't a real problem. It's mainly a problem because it makes women feel unsafe. If a guy were to get "catcalled" by a woman, he wouldn't have to be afraid of her following him around or trying to rape him. That's the difference.

[@thehamburgler6561]

What's the difference between a guy catcalling a girl and a girl catcalling a guy. In the end, it's just words. The man who acted as the most recent superman (forgot his name lazy) was catcalled all the time by women, even in front of his wife. Does it make it any better that he's being catcalled by women? In the end, he didn't respond to their idiocy. He brushed off the words said to him, and continued his life

[@edmilsoneletrica]

Well, I have been catcalled (using your definition) by men and women. There were weird and annoying guys among those. I was certainly cautious about it since I didn't know them or what they would do. What did I do? I said: NO. Than moved on with my life. I have been actually harassed on the streets. Random guys shouting out insults at me. There were guys (whom I've never seen before) who started to provoke by bumping and/or insulting me, trying to make me start a fight. One of those guys was huge. Way bigger than me. Also, here where I live men suffer the vast majority of violent crimes, and are killed in a proportion of 10:1 compared to women. Also, the vast majority of rapes (about 70%) happens to children, teenagers and the elderly, and are generally perpetrated by people close to the victim (foster parent, uncle, grandfather...). So, adult women are not at a high risk of rape. That's just an statistical bulls**t. "Adult women" is the safest demographic group in western countries. They are just big whiners and you're just falling for their bulls**t.

[@mikaylaa.k.8376]

We should raise our kids to know some manors. There's nothing wrong with words if it stays at words. The moment catcalling becomes actions, you have a problem.

[@mikaylaa.k.8376]

Nah, sorry, I live 20 minutes from that type of area. :/ I don't care who does the catcalling, I care that they leave it at words :( There was one case where a man was catcalling from his car, and when the girl wouldn't respond to him, he hit her with his car. Sometimes this stuff gets messed up. We need to focus on that, not "Hey there, beautiful."

[@SpiritualAlien]

The other day when walking down the street a lady passing by smiled at me and said good-morning. And what was my response to this? I smiled and "Hello" and carried on my way. What a fool I was! How could I have missed that what this woman did by addressing that way was obviously a clear perpetration of verbal harassment - bordering on assault? I will be on my guard next time - the authorities will be notified immediately!

[@joyoflogic7905]

How do they even become good enough to claim that "good morning, beautiful" and a light form of stalking are the same? The first one isnt even remotely close to harrassment?!

[@MikeBarbarossa]

"Most cat calls were from harlem (black) " . 'Intersectional feminism' Does not compute! Does not compute! (fembot blows up)

[@WordsofHarmony]

Mike Barbarossa Spanish, Irish, and Italian do it a lot too

[@AhidoMikaro]

"I don't think it is the catcallers that should check their privileges. It think it is the women at Hollaback who need to check their facts." BTFO

[@lorifarrell5705]

There is a big difference between free speech and harassing a person on the street by speaking to them, who are strangers, in an uninvited rude, disrespectful and objectionable way. While I agree with you that a law against this behavior is not the answer-I am absolutely convinced that this is a social problem that stems from sexism, objectifcation of women and men who have this underlying belief of ownership over women. Your attitude regarding this problem is abhorrent. Imho, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for denying that this is harrassment.

[@Keith0384]

I second NateTalksToYou. I've commented on a few of your videos, ma'am, and it just makes me so gratified there are women like you who have the integrity to speak out for what you believe in. It's so hard, as a man, to be told "Women like confidence; go up and talk to her" and you know that you can't since it's "harassment". Sure there are men who are completely inappropriate but at the same time we have to remember that "inappropriate" is not objective. If a woman views a comment as "flattering" then it's not inappropriate, however, she picks and chooses what is "flattering". A comic once illustrated this conundrum when a well-dressed, in-shape, handsome man told a female office worker, "Looking good, Susan" and she replies, "Awww you're sweet" juxtaposed against an overweight, unattractive man speaking to her, which earned from her a "I have to call HR". It's what men deal with that never gets talked about, so thank you, ma'am.

[@bradleyruest6863]

Just when I thought no feminists were intelligent. This woman is awesome. Recognizes that it could make some women uncomfortable, but upholds the first amendment and basically says that it's NOT a big deal at all if a guy says, "hey what's up beautiful," every now and then.

[@AndrooUK]

Bradley Ruest She's an oldschool feminist, not a new age, third wave, libtarded, fascist feminist.

[@Pushinkanzu]

I don't get it, I get a G'day from passers by when I'm walking in the morning all the time. I don't think it's harassment and I personally never initiate these interactions, but I always reply. It's just people being people I always assumed. Everyone's different I guess.

[@roelani]

The US is gonna host the Oppression Olympics in 2016, haven't you heard? Gold medal will eventually go to the group who has suffered/been harassed most/is most unjustly treated by society. The feminists are really raring to win it this year. So they're practicing a lot.

[@JoinedSouls]

same here, saying hello on the street is... just a thing that gets done here, if you make even a passing glance towards eye contact your going to get a hello or the weathers shit isnt it from the other person.

[@genart5501]

Your videos just keep getting better and better! I just love to hear you talk because you seem like a sweet older lady in that transitioning phase from being mother to grandma where you are calm and patient but still have energy...and to top it off you have good points and think clearly. Very good and I'm glad I subbed

[@HasturMora]

i wouldn't call the guy who was following her a stalker. some people are delusional and could've taken her total unresponsiveness as a game.

[@valhar2000]

Cat-calling is a symptom of gynocentrism, not anything even vaguely resembling misogyny.

[@SugarHighHeather]

Wish someone would catcall me. Make my day.

[@DrSpooglemon]

Hey gorgeous! How you doin? ;)

[@SugarHighHeather]

+DrSpooglemon 'smile' feels good. Not bad. Enough people killing One another. I'll take a compliment anyday. some people don't know how good they've got it. some people are actually suffering in the world.

[@EstherTheNicey]

Don't even bring it up. 20 years old here, never been catcalled :(

[@angelaviary444]

ey yo bitch lemme buy you food and shit!!

[@AndrooUK]

pete cruickshank Hey, hotstuff. How's your day going?

[@silentArtist00]

She's probably one of the only speakers that can change my opinion on something with one video. I like how she objectively states things instead of trying to insult or joke about the people she disagrees with.

[@MrCmon113]

Most of these men were not harassing her, but creeping up her ass. Still people need to realize that this can be very annoying and unsettling.

[@Renovartio]

Remember those movies where they show the future as being boring, segregated and just grey? Kinda like those early Apple commercials. Well it seems these people WANT that kind of future.

[@VidkunQL]

Let us not forget that that woman was paid to get catcalled. She went out walking with that purpose. *The catcalling was neither unwanted nor uninvited.*

[@cayucossurfer]

+VidkunQL Ahahahaaha. Really good point.

[@meekmeads]

@@cayucossurfer Let's also not forget that Rob Bliss made this video. Those catcallers are paid actors. Hence this BS video is totally staged.

[@ghostofdayinperson]

I don't feel oppressed by catcalls. Catcalling doesn't make me think of gender discrimination. Sometimes it annoys me, but sometimes I appreciate it; boosts my ego. The stupidity of some cat callers is what is most annoying. It's so unbelievable that they don't know how unattractive and often repulsive they are. It's like they want to make my skin crawl.

[@sarahcayer2817]

Just because you would prefer to be whistled at rather then have someone stop you to ask if you have time to talk about the environment doesn't mean everyone should feel that way. One person is treating you like a human being and genuinely trying to have an educated conversation and the other is treating you like a sexual object. You have a right to decline both. But let's be clear, only one of them is actually being harrassing.

[@johnmirra6707]

The factual feminist, yet again proving that reality is kryptonite to the insane world of third wave feminism and it's mystical boogieman 'The Patriarchy', awesome video keep'em coming.

[@MrGrey-zc2cy]

Not sure if kryptonite is the right word. That implies that other feminists won't automatically dismiss Ms. Summers arguments because they disagree with their worldview.

[@johnmirra6707]

Sorry what?

[@SteadyxSword]

John Mirra He's saying you're implying that other feminists won't just simply automatically the Factual Feminist's arguments.

[@MrGrey-zc2cy]

SteadyxSword Funny. "dismiss" was supposed to be in there. "That implies that other feminists won't automatically *dismiss* Ms. Summers arguments because they disagree with their worldview."

[@johnmirra6707]

Tony Dạnza Oh right yeah of course, they already do, they say she's not a 'real feminist'; because she doesn't agree with them but they do that with everything. But you can't really argue with facts although they often try at that point what differentiates feminists from religious zealots?

[@CrimsonReaper189]

its daft i have rarely if ever seen a women catcalled in the street same for my dad and granddad so what percentage of people have ever actually catcalled and them saying that you calling a women beautiful is harassment i am sorry but if a girl said i was cute i would be happy they are doing a usual and making a small percentage of men seem like its all men no that's not right also t hey never say about women cat-callers because it does happen women saying hello sexy to men across the street so how can they say its a power thing about putting women down when women do it as-well men just don't take any notice of it i wish people would just stop spending all there time and effort dealing with small things that are not even problems and deal with real problems in this world

[@rainopdewilde509]

My friend has men asking if they can stay at her apartment and that they’re pay rent. She and her sister have been followed by several men in a van. She is screamed at by homeless people at night for hours. Tell me harassment isn’t a problem

[@domydishes]

when you have to walk around for 10 hours, and only get a few minutes of "horrible harrasment" which includes "good morning" and "have a nice day" you certainly arent making it seem like a problem

[@agreendc]

I can't believe that I've agreed with everything this lady has said in 3 videos straight I have watched. Part of what exacerbated many of the interactions that turned into more than "Hey, beautiful!" was at least in part to the woman not even having the common courtesy to make eye contact, wave, or say hi. Not that I am defending some of the assholes who followed her around, but almost every single "catcall" in that entire video was essentially saying "Hi" followed by a compliment. A completely benign interaction.

[@No0bT4rD]

+Andrew G I love this one video where a girl walked past a guy, he turned around and said something like "Wow, beautiful!" when she was several meters away from him. He wasn't even catcalling her! He was just so taken aback by how attracted he was to her, and had to stop to take it in.

[@Rockownz5150]

Make talking to womyn on the street a felony. #Feminism

[@steveaustin4118]

And womyn talking to men remember Feminism is equality

[@jonoc5]

Poe's law.

[@sararo15]

I went out yesterday,I was catcalled and even touched on the street,I couldn't have a normal conversation with my friend because it kept me distracted,and it did bother me a lot. Maybe the video does not live up to your credibility standards,but it sure reflected what I lived yesterday,which is not a commercial but a reality.

[@Novascotia21]

Out of every other form of harassment in the world catcalling is the biggest problem? I though child abuse and trafficking was the biggest problem in the world!

[@kiva02j]

Why is the media listening to tumblr feminists and not feminists like this person (the woman talking)?

[@formerevolutionist]

Personally, I don't make a lot of comments on how women look when I'm in public. My wife doesn't like it. But seriously, I see it as crude and pointless. Does any man think he will get lucky by complimenting a woman's breasts? However, feminists have nothing serious to complain about, so they need to manufacture things like this to be seen as victims. I'm surprised you didn't mention France's legislation to end such practice. The French government made it illegal to give women unsolicited compliments. I don't like catcalls, but muzzling and neutering the cats is not the solution. I could talk at great length about this, but I'll just say one final thing to the ladies: If you don't like the catcalls, don't worry. They will happen less frequently as you get older.

[@angledcoathanger]

The other day a lady started talking to me on the street about threesomes and if I've ever had one, standing really close to me, trying to not let me leave, looking me up and down. I thought "oh my god, I'm not even that attractive, someone needs to hang out with this girl, she's bored and lonely". I felt bad for breaking away because she had terrible breath and a skin condition of some sort and was trying to engage with all the men at the stop with no success. I know it's not the same for men and women, but she was far more aggressive and invasive than any of the men in the video, and it honestly just made me sad for her and really had no other impact on me.

[@aquious953]

A woman's view of harassment depends on how attractive and wealthy the guy doing the harassing is.

[@jhance11]

Look As A Maie in my 50's I don't pretend to know what happens in the daily life of most women. But I have to say this . The Supreme Court could not award A man damages because of A certain Religious group who had protested at his son's funeral. They wanted to God knows they wanted to . Even Justice Scalia said in his comments . And I'm [paraphrasing yes. I wish I could rule in your favor sir. this is the kind of case that tests our freedoms but were I to award you this verdict which In my opinion you deserve our right to Freedom of speech would forever be damaged and perhaps even destroyed. Moral of the story Free speech is for everyone even the ones whose speech goes against everything you believe in. It apply s to all or it applies to none. Only the ladies out there can put an end to the dangerous element that has usurped your movement if you don't it will be forever be lost. Good luck

[@Seneca_creek]

I found some of her videos interesting, but here she lost me. She basically just invalidate all arguments. No, it's not ok that a woman get unwanted calls by strangers. It's not made better that it happens in certain areas. It's not made better than it is homeless people making them, or that the women are privileged. Explanations are not excuses.

[@spekx]

triggered

[@Seneca_creek]

Hope you get over it :)

[@requiemforamerica8432]

catcalling itself is not big deal (unless it turns to stalking and more menacing stuff) - most of the guys in the video were just saying "have a nice day" You need to go to muslim countries where women are whipped for not covering up properly to see what a real problem looks like.

[@Seneca_creek]

Sorry, but I judge an action for what it is, no need to downplay it or shift attention. This was a problem in it self, even if it's worse other places.

[@requiemforamerica8432]

Morten Christiansen no downplaying is done - it's you who is freaking out over nothing and overplaying it, buying into the idiotic new "feminist" hype

[@Omizuke]

Great video as always. About "catcalling" in general, I'm a guy and I've been catcalled, in the streets, in collage, at a previous work, and the mall. And I don't even consider myself attractive to began with. As far as harassment go I'm not sure when exactly the line is crossed. Specially according to this people. But I've been touched in public places, my rear end mostly. I've been approached by females and have my sunglasses removed to see my eyes or try to lift my shirt to "check my abs" which are mostly non-existence by the way. That did make me feel very uncomfortable, specially since I'm not a fan of physical contact, even from family. Did I charged those woman with assault or something no. I just made an excuse and stormed off. So harasment can happen to anyone, male or female. As for the rest. I can't believe some people can't take a compliment. Or just be nice too. In my home town a "good morning beautiful" its a common thing. Even if the person doesn't even find you pretty. The way I was raise its liking the person have nothing to do. Its about complimenting and wishing a good day. The 'Beautiful' is just there to be nice and help lift the spirit (self esteem as well). A positive comment for a positive day. Just like guys like me receive a "honey, dear or sweetie" or elaborated tank you when we open doors or help reach something high. Yes male to male don't add those lol but are still polite to one another. And I open doors, or hold them open for both, woman and man, nothing to do with sex. But there's this thing, "be nice" and "treat others as you would like to be treated" In many other place I've had problems because this things, even opening a door. Give the wrong impression to some, even think I'm flirting when I'm just been polite. Growing up my grandfather would've scold me for just calling a woman "chick" or "gal" its "lady", "miss" or "ma'am". And Harlem, really? >.>

[@cesarefildani8260]

Someone (male or female): "hey beautiful, have a nice day" Woman: you creep Man: Thank you, I have waited so long for a complement.