“Hey, how you doin’?”
Who knew such words could be so discomforting?
Hollaback, an organization fighting street harassment, recently released a hidden-camera video of a woman walking around New York City for 10 hours that went viral with over 23 million hits. The video says the woman received more than 100 catcalls, not including winks, honks, and whistles. The announcement contained 23 clips of the woman being catcalled and even followed.
This is not some distant, big-city problem, however. In fact, catcalling happens at Hillsdale. Along with men whistling, honking, and even barking at female students as they walk on roads surrounding the college, the 10 girls I interviewed complained about having things shouted at them, including profanities, “You are one hot girl,” “I’d do you,” and “Nice butt.”
According to Director of Safety and Security William Whorley, students have also reported being followed by cars while running or walking near campus.
Now, I know the first question that comes to people’s minds is: Well, what were they wearing?
In the video, the woman wore a form-fitted, crew-neck T-shirt and skinny jeans. The students I interviewed all reported wearing modest clothing including jeans, sweaters, hoodies, and T-shirts when catcalled. But this question is irrelevant. Regardless of what a woman wears, she never asks to be harassed.
From the sound of it, most catcallers are not Hillsdale College students, instead coming from a perverse minority that does not represent the surrounding community. But it still weakens the sense of security students feel as they walk around campus.
Girls reported feeling frustrated, objectified, surprised, unhappy, and uncomfortable. Some even admitted they now refuse to walk around outside at night.
The New York video has received criticism, including from political comedian Steven Crowder. He created his own video rebuttal, since the original considered catcalls to be things like “Have a good day,” “God bless you,” and “Hey, beautiful.”
Even though the words may sound innocent, tone of voice and facial expression play a large role in determining their intent. The video blurs the faces of the callers in the video, but based on vocal delivery, a majority of the clips contain catcalls.
Even at Hillsdale, female students felt that similar seemingly-neutral messages like “Hey, how you doin’?” constituted catcalling.
Of course, catcalling happens differently here. Instead of people on the street yelling, cowards harass from behind a window in a vehicle whisking them quickly away. Either way, catcalling is an issue we must confront. While this behavior is not new this year at Hillsdale, many students feel the frequency and severity of the harassment has increased from past years. Several said they are catcalled at least once a week and others so frequently they have just gotten used to it. If girls are becoming conditioned to catcalling, there is a problem.
Women worry about finding themselves in this situation. That is unacceptable. No one should have to worry about being harassed walking between campus and her dorm or home.
The first problem, however, is no one knows it’s a problem. Girls said they don’t respond to the catcallers, but something has to be done to stop it from recurring.
Whorley said if you experience this verbal assault, first call 911, then Hillsdale security and go to the Dean of Women, your house mom, or another trusted school authority. Only more awareness will solve this problem, as it is currently underreported.
Now, I appeal to the men of campus. Think before you speak. Don’t yell out the window or honk your horn to impress your friends. It’s rude and classless.
Catcalled students admitted that college students were mostly blameless, but campus guys can still help. All stories of catcalling happened when the girl was alone or with female friends. I make this request on behalf of all female students: Guys, if you see a girl walking back to her dorm or a close house, take the time to walk her back, especially in the evening. She’ll less likely be catcalled, making her feel safer. Plus, you’ll score major brownie points with her and her friends.
Doing your part against street harassment will make Hillsdale a safer and happier place for all.
