On my walk to work this morning, I came across an unfamiliar yet intensely intriguing street sign. “NO CATCALL ZONE” it read, with the subtitle: “End street harassment.” The graphic, featuring the silhouette of a feline being hollered at by two figures motioning in the background, is actually kind of cute—but the message—that catcalling and unwelcome comments are, unquestionably, harassment in its purest form—is anything but.
Turns out, the sign I saw is one of more than 50 that’ve been posted around Manhattan and Brooklyn over the past few days, and unsurprisingly, they weren’t commissioned by New York City. They’re courtesy of non-profit clothing company Feminist Apparel—and while it’s unclear how the locations of the signs were chosen (maybe some bad past experiences in those spots?), the timing is what’s important.
According to Alan J. Martofel, production coordinator at Feminist Apparel, the signs were erected in support of Anti Street Harassment Week, which is April 12-18 (i.e., right now), “with the goal simply being to raise awareness of Anti-Street Harassment Week and create some further dialogue surrounding the issue.”
As for how long the signs will remain up in NYC and Philadelphia before inevitably (and, unfortunately) being taken down? That remains to be seen.
I wished they put some of those signs in upper manhattan in washington heights. My people (Dominicans) whistle/talk to every single cute girl on the street. Screw decent looking they could be ugly you just have to have a big butt. Even men in their 40's and 50's do this, it's so embarrassing. You''ll most likely won't get with the girl so what's the purpose.
I wouldn't say I LOVE it but it's definitely kind of an ego boost. That's kind of embarrassing to say but it's true lol
Are you a man? Its a lot different for women, especially if you're alone or a group of men are doing it. Its most definitely not flattering, it makes me think you're a rapist or something. And men do it because they know it makes girls afraid, bc catcalling doesnt work
Are you a man? Its a lot different for women, especially if you're alone or a group of men are doing it. Its most definitely not flattering, it makes me think you're a rapist or something. And men do it because they know it makes girls afraid, bc catcalling doesnt work
Very true, but even as a guy I hate when other guys try to talk to me when I'm walking down the street it's annoying and yeah it can be flattering but I'd rather they didn't. Especially at night it's the worst.
Are you a man? Its a lot different for women, especially if you're alone or a group of men are doing it. Its most definitely not flattering, it makes me think you're a rapist or something. And men do it because they know it makes girls afraid, bc catcalling doesnt work
I'm a woman. I don't think men catcall to SCARE women I think they just do it because they see something they like and think they're paying you a compliment. Some women take it as a compliment, some women don't. I don't think it SCARES most women though lol.
I wouldn't say I LOVE it but it's definitely kind of an ego boost. That's kind of embarrassing to say but it's true lol
Find other ways to boost your ego, please Catcalling guys don't see you as anything more than a vagina that happens to be walking around. They're definitely not calling because you're wearing a cute outfit or look pretty that day.
it's annoying and yeah it can be flattering but I'd rather they didn't. Especially at night it's the worst.