Hollaback Atl and V-Day SCAD Atlanta
Come meet Atlanta Hollaback! We’ll be at SCAD’s V-day presentation of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues.” While you’re at it, you’ll be supporting a couple of great organizations and Atlanta Hollaback will be hosting a table where you can submit harassment stories on site.
March 1st-3rd, 8pm
Event Space 4C
V-day SCAD Atlanta joins global effort to stop violence against women and girls. Proceeds will go to support Innocence Atlanta, an organization fighting against modern day slavery. www.innocenceatlanta.org.
Ticket Information
Student Presale: $3.00 At Door: $5.00
Faculty/Staff: $5.00
General Admission at door: $8.00
Invading Personal Space
This story comes from the Atlanta Marta Street Harassment Survey Hollaback Atlanta began last year in an effort to collect data regarding harassment on Marta and demand they establish an anti-sexual harassment policy:
“I was sitting outside waiting for my bus and there was an obviously intoxicated man who came up to me and invaded my space. At first he was asking me about when the bus came and I was polite and told him, making sure to not give any “hey mister why dontcha come invade my personal space” vibes. Well, he kept invading my space and I put my hand in front of me making a “don’t come any closer motion” while telling him..well, to not come any closer. After he asked me why I was being that way, I got really pissed off and explained that my imaginary bubble was filled with pepper spray *clutching spray inside my bag* and that he would experience that with full force if he didn’t move. As if THAT wasn’t hint enought to leave me alone. Within seconds he was leaning in making kissing noises and he asked me if he could rest his head in my lap saying “but be careful I might just unzip you and let my tongue slide inside…” while flicking his tongue out. I don’t know if it was because I had a really crap day, because it was the end of a really crap day…or because I had JUST missed my bus and I had to wait in the cold another 40 minutes, but I turned to him and practically yelled “STOP IT! DO NOT TALK TO ME!” He got really embarrassed and walked away. But I felt disgusting. He didn’t even touch me, but I felt so dirty like I needed to jump into a shower. That’s definitely NOT my first/only experience of marta harassment, just my most recent. It would be nice if there was more security especially during late nights. People shouldn’t have to worry about working late because all of the pervs are roaming around on the loose at night. ”
Ride Marta and want to share your own experiences and help us collect some data? Take a few minutes to fill out the Marta Harassment Survey.
Hollaback Atlanta will be continuing work on this project this year and can use plenty of help. If you’re interested in volunteering with Hollaback Atlanta then please contact us at atl@ihollaback.org.
Stalking Awareness Month
January is National Stalking Awareness month. Visit the site for facts, statistics, guidelines and other useful information concerning the issue from the Stalking Resource Center, National Center for Victims of Crime, and the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice.
If you’re in Atlanta and are concerned for yourself or another about stalking be aware that there exists, among many other resources, the Safe Families Office to assist you. Partnership Against Domestic Violence and the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation run the Safe Families Office, located at the Fulton County Courthouse. The Safe Families Office provides legal and safety planning assistance on a walk-in basis to survivors of stalking as well as survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence. If you’re interested in getting additional information or assistance, visit the office or contact either of the organizations.
Jen’s Story: Rape threats on the road
I was inspired to write after seeing the other report of road-rage-turned-harassment. I flipped off a man in a green truck at the Publix parking lot. I’d been waiting forever to pull out and he took what I felt was my turn. He didn’t like it; he pulled out of the parking lot after me, followed me several blocks away, gesticulating wildly. Finally pulled up next to me and then in front of me at a stop light, blocking me in, while motioning to me a clear message–a series of charade-style gestures making it clear he intended (or at least wanted) to rape me. He rolled down his windows and starting throwing anything he could find at my car, at my windows. I picked up my phone and called the police, making clear what I was doing (I wanted him to leave me alone). He pulled off, but I got his license number.
I proceeded cautiously home, still on the line with 911. The officer (Decatur police, and a woman) arrived and told me I should have a) stayed where I was when it happened (where a man was threatening to rape me), and b) that the whole thing was my fault for flipping him off in the first place and that if I hadn’t given the guy the bird, I wouldn’t have invited him to follow, harass, and threaten me. So I don’t have the right to use the bird in traffic, on account of being a woman, and challenging a man’s authority over me in public is a sound justification for whatever punishment his wounded ego finds just? According to the police, at least.
Hollaback expands from Bogotá to Chennai
On December 7th, Hollaback has expanded to an additional 11 cities around the world, bringing the total to 45! Check out the newest members of the Hollaback family:
Welcome to Hollaback! December 2011 from Chad Sniffen on Vimeo.
Sitting with Sadness
It is almost impossible to make sense of Troy Davis’ execution. Instead, as the wisdom from the crunk feminist collective suggests, we can sit with our sadness and use it.
“There is power in my blues (sometimes), untapped potential, reservoirs of resources and creativity. Maybe instead of chasing my blues away I should invite her in for a while. Have a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine and patiently pay attention to her. Hear her words, heed her warnings, and listen to her rhythms.”
via the Crunk Feminist Collective
How to not harass asian american women
via Jezebel
http://jezebel.com/5838382/how-to-avoid-harassing-asian-american-women
Ella’s story: Greeting the day with harassment
I was going for my morning walk at 8am on a weekday. I was happily listening to birds tweeting and getting ready for the day.
A van passed by and suddenly there was loud hollering and hooting at me which continued till the van stopped at the traffic light. I waited for the van to turn before walking on. I found the hollering scary. It completely disrupted my serenity.
Men, we DO NOT WANT to be screamed at. Be quiet please.
Location: North Decatur Road near Emory
