Photo by dbking via flickr

I was on my way to Eastern Market Station after a particularly stressful day at work around 5pm. On my way to the metro stop, I was listening to my ipod and smoking a cigarette when I crossed paths with a group of 5-6 teenage boys. As I was approaching them, instinctively I knew that there may be some type of rude exchange, but I kept walking forward, not letting them deter me on my way to the metro.

One of the kids, he must have been maybe 15, asked me for a cigarette as I walked by. I pretended not to hear and kept walking. As I passed, I heard the same kid say “Bitch, give me a god damn cigarette”. I spun around and said, nicely and politely, “Excuse me, I find that language offensive” he then responded with “Fuck you, bitch” and I said, “That language is extremely rude and you shouldn’t speak to women–let alone strangers–that way. I’m sure your parents would be disappointed knowing you speak to people that way”. He stomped off, while the rest of his posse looked shocked that someone had actually spoken back to them. One of the group actually apologized for his friend’s behavior.

I’m not sure why that kid chose to single me out, maybe it was because I was by myself, maybe it was because he thought I looked like an easy target for verbal abuse. I suppose it’s a part of that ‘male-bonding teen angst” mentality and wanting to ‘look cool’, but I’m sick of that being an excuse for such stupid and rude behavior. Normally, I would’ve probably just kept on walking, but after being made aware of and reading Holla Back DC!, I felt braver and more convinced that it was the right thing to do.

Submitted by anonymous on 4/26/2010

Location: Eastern Market Metro

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