Support Anti-Street Harassment Day: Hollaback!

Earlier this month, Hollaback! Buenos Aires founder Inti Maria Tidball-Binz was featured in Argentina’s El Guardián newspaper, but the coverage was far from celebratory. Writer Juan Terranova belittled the movement, stating that street harassment is okay. As if Terranova couldn’t be any more infuriating, he ended by threateneing Tidball-Binz,

I finish here with a wish for 2011: to meet Inti Maria Tidball-Binz at a vernissage, share a drink, and later tell her I would love to rape her in the ass.

Terranova’s rape threat is unacceptable, and frankly, frightening. Hollaback and Change.org have put forth a demand that Terranova resigns from El Guardián.

If anything Terranova’s threat illustrates the need for women to fight back against street harassment. While street harassment can be perceived as actions that happen when jogging, walking or being out in public space, Terranova’s complete dismissal and subsequent threat underlines a connection between street harassment and violence against women. It can happen anywhere, whether in the streets or in print. And we need to start fighting back.

You can start by taking part in today’s First Annual Anti-Street Harassment DayHolly Kearl, activist and author of Stop Street Harassment says that her objective in initiating this day is to “encourage people to break the silence around street harassment and bring more attention to this pervasive problem.” She suggests ways for people to get involved, ranging from educating yourself about street harassment to holding a local anti-street harassment event.

I have another suggestion for getting involved: Join your local Hollaback branch.

Hollaback was designed by women who were tired of being silenced and sought a simple, non-violent response. What emerged is a platform where thousands of stories of street harassment have been told. Hollaback branches can now be found in Buenos Aires, Czech Republic, Mumbai, France, London, Atlanta, Baltimore, El Paso, Houston, New York City, Portland, SoCal and more will be launching soon. If your city doesn’t have a branch, start your own!

For more on Hollaback, watch this Ms. Foundation for Women video on Hollaback! starring co-founder and executive director Emily May:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsSUslQKJKs&feature=player_embedded

Photo from Flickr user Adam Jones, Ph.D. under Creative Commons 2.0.

About

Kerensa Cadenas is a freelance writer who is obsessed with all things entertainment, pop culture, television and film. She lives in Los Angeles and is obsessed with that too.