The Riot Magazine has put out a fabulous Catcaller Form that starts with this explanation:
“Hey, Mister! Sounds like you’re interested in me. So I hope you don’t mind if I ask you a few questions, just to get to know you better!”
It continues with some bittersweet humor, nailing the feeling women have who are the object of these unwelcome “attentions.” Click here to view this short but sharp form on theriotmag.tumblr.com/.
It reminds me of a business card – at that time referred to as a “calling card” – which my feminist collective put out in about 1970. We would hand the card to men who harassed us on the streets. Since it was the period of explosive growth in the women’s movement and a parallel virulent backlash from men, we had call to use them a lot. I have one somewhere in a box, but today I’ll have to paraphrase.
You Have Just Insulted A Women
This card has been treated with a chemical.
Sixty minutes after you touch this card,
your penis will fall off.
Both the form and the calling card gave me a good laugh. Thanks!
Posted by: winnie | 17 February 2011 at 09:30
In these days, any giggle we can claim is worthy! Thanks for writing Winnie.
Posted by: Sue Katz | 17 February 2011 at 09:39