Monday, February 26, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
On dem trains...
Taking the train back late this Sunday afternoon, I was harassed by a man on the train. He was drunk, and repeatedly asking me for all kinds of personal information: my name, where I lived, my phone number, where I was going on the train. At first I didn't respond, and then when I finally did, I told him I wasn't interested, and I didn't give out personal information, or go out with strange men I met on the T. He kept insisting that I should because he told me that I was attractive, like it was a gift he was giving, or insurance against future misogyny from him. It was an outbound train, and as it went further along, I got scared that he would follow me off at my stop. My T stop, and the ones around it let off in residential areas, where there's no gas station or business that I could escape to and call the police. He got off a few stops before mine, and I guess I looked pretty upset because the man next to me asked if I was okay, and then told me that he was looking out to step in if the guy moved from verbal to physical harassment. A woman across from me said the same thing, and when I told her I wanted to take his picture but was too scared to provoke him, she said HollaBackBoston accepts written submissions too. Sarah, Jamaica Plain, MA |
Friday, February 16, 2007
Masters of disguise
This story actually happened when I was still an undergraduate at K.U. in Lawrence, KS. I had walked to the grocery store at about 8 pm one night, which I didn't think was the craziest idea ever. I wanted some fresh air, and the store was about a half mile from my apartment, the area is well-lit, and the whole walk is along major streets in a nice part of town. I had gotten the couple of things that I needed, and as I was entering the parking lot I had a guy approach me asking for any spare change, he had run out of gas, was trying to get back to Kansas City. Who cares if it's true (although it's probably not), so I gave the guy some change, and told him good luck getting back. Then he starts following me! I look back over my shoulder a few times to make sure, yup, there he is. So two buildings down is a gas station, and I start heading for it, figuring I'd go in and tell the clerk I was being followed, and have them call the police (I didn't have a cell). As luck would have it there was a cop sitting in the parking lot, so I knocked on his window, told him this guy was following me, and I didn't want him knowing where I lived. As soon as this guy rounds the corner and sees me talking to the cop, he goes back around the corner, puts on the sweater he had tied around his waist, then acts like he was just nonchalantly walking past. I'm telling you, the guy was like the fucking Master of Disguise or something. Anyways, the cop went to talk to him, and told me to walk home. It was such a scary experience and really drove home the point that I should be aware of my surroundings no matter how safe things may seem. Guess creeps really are everywhere. -Alana |