Sunday, February 10, 2008

Spittin' game

Z.A.P. played a killer show last night at the Blue Fugue. It ended late, and as I headed to my car, I heard a group of guys behind me.
I was alone. I got a bit worried and crossed the street. Then, I heard it.
"Yo, dudes, check out this chick!"
"Hey, momma, whatch'u doin?"
"Girl, get over here, lemme holla atch'ya"
Imagine dealing with this every single time you go out. As a woman, I live in a world where walking alone at night means potential danger on every corner. When I walk to my car after a fun night out, I can't just relax and enjoy. I have to brace myself for assholes like these who could, potentially, mean harm to me.
The group followed me until I ditched them. But not before they got in one last pick-up line, my personal favorite:
"Watch out, girl."
When people tell me to watch out, it's because something bad is about to happen. It's because, somehow, my safety or well-being is threatened.
Therefore, I find "watch out" to be a very appropriate pick up line.

Dear "playa" spittin' your "game",
What you are saying to me (and what you may want to do to me) is inappropriate and potentially violent. So yes, thank you, I will watch out. Now, please, leave me alone.
Suffer,
Lindsay

2 comments:

Juana Summers said...

Ugh. That's so disgusting. It makes no sense that women should be frightened or feel like they have some reason to avoid leaving a club on their own.

It absolutely disgusts me. And it isn't fair.

Lindsay Toler said...

The worst part is, sometimes I feel like the only way I'm "safe" is if I'm with a guy. To be safe from men, I need a man? How fucked up and counter-productive is that? Do you ever feel that way?