More than a signaling mechanism to other men, it’s a signaling to women (and that woman specifically) of the patriarchy in play. In an equal (ideal) world, one could walk about without being forced into an unwanted interaction with a stranger. To quot…

I prolly do take coy tolerance as enjoyment since I usually hear about it when its not appreciated but if you’re giving me a number just to go on your way? I don’t get it & prolly never will.

as for treating women differently because of chromosomes, well I treat everybody differently. Growing up in Boston, you find everyone is a sum of the stereotypes they were raised by. I don’t think its right but it sure does help get to the point in certain situations. I treat you the way I learned to get the best reaction from you.

and for the best question posed by Danielle “By the way, who?s… …responsibility for their own actions?”
Parents naturally, I’d go far as to say black women since most people I know were raised by just they momma. I was raised to be nice, protective, all that man shit by her and reinforced by my community. its how it is and always been. no real answer for that except for more conversation and education.

Like most things, when you’re more knowledgeable, you ask more questions and will be looking for changes for the better IMO. This blog seems like a great example of that.*daps*

And I agree with “admin”, I don’t think *any* woman likes that kind of treatment; I just think women are taught to put up with it and move on. So maybe that tolerance gets interpreted as enjoyment, which are SO not the same thing.

What we’re dealing with here is unchecked privilege and entitlement. Many (not all, mind you, but many) men act as though women’s bodies are public property, to be touched and used at will. And even “nice” things like insisting on walking curbside is a way of saying “I’m going to treat you differently for no other reason than your XX chromosomes.”

By the way, who’s responsible for the culture and environment that encourages this kind of behavior if men themselves aren’t “really the problem”, and don’t have to take responsibility for their own actions?

Thank you for commenting.
I responded below.

Have you considered how there is a connection between the need to protect women and the possibility dominating women?

I also feel that there?s no handbook on sure-fire ways to talk to ?that? girl so hollering, thru generations, has been found the most effective. We wouldn?t grab in the clubs and cat-call on the streets if it didn?t work.
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You are right.There is no handbook. I never thought about men being TAUGHT about how to talk to women on the street. #ummhmm

However, how much of niggas talking in the street is about Talking to girls, than it is about BONDING with other men. Black men do this by themselves and in groups to pass time. They frequently bond with each other over OUR asses. A woman can walk by and two men who DON’T know each other will turn to each other comment on her ass/body. #ummhmm.

again, I think the problem isn?t with men really (we?re visual), its more the culture and environment (enough girls like it). I?m generalizing but I?m sayin?.
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Men are visual. Negro HUMANS are visual. Miss me with that excuse making. My whole crew is real visual. In fact most of us are visual artists.So that ain’t an excuse Love.

I am uncertain as to your conclusion that “enough girls like it”. You are generalizing, and I USE TO THINK that it must work on some women so dudes do it. BUT. I no longer think that.

How many of us like it, and how many of us deal with it, because we LIVE in the hood and that shit is just a part of daily life that we are subjected to going from Point A to Point B?

Especially after re reading Grants essay and seeing JUST HOW MUCH patriarchy I have to navigate in the street with strange MEN and with MEN I AM DATING. Uh. NO.

#ummhmm.

I also feel that there’s no handbook on sure-fire ways to talk to “that” girl so hollering, thru generations, has been found the most effective. We wouldn’t grab in the clubs and cat-call on the streets if it didn’t work.

again, I think the problem isn’t with men really (we’re visual), its more the culture and environment (enough girls like it). I’m generalizing but I’m sayin’.

This video is inexcusable though, this ain’t “don’t be a menace”.

I became more aware after checking out an interactive show called CatCalled that was weird, funny and kind of corny. Initially I dismissed the show as womens’ issue, because it really did not affect me. However, I think the show was successful because it did open my eyes and I began to actually think more about the problem. Byron Hurt’s hip hop documentary definitely presented the problem in a clear-cut and colorful way.

Hopefully more people realize that street harassment is simply not appropriate.