I was walking back to work from my lunch break the other day, and this guy who was begging for change in front of United Colors of Benetton was yelling at a guy who was with a woman. The guy was yelling mess like “Ooh! That’s what I’m talking about! Protect that prettiness! You got you a pretty lady!” The couple were happy in their own world and didn’t seem to be caring about or paying attention to the guy yelling at them. I was offended for them, and I hated that the guy was talking to the guy of the couple as if the woman involved was his property.

I also hate that there are men on every freaking corner of that intersection who are not only begging for change, they’re harassing as well. Why has this been normalized as something to be accepted?

It’s not the begging that bothers me as much, it’s the harassment. Women, whether they’re single or with someone, should be able to walk freely without being commented on.

Submitted by anonymous on 9/16/2010

Time of Harassment: Day Time (9:30A-3:30P)

Location: M Street & Wisconsin Avenue

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