Street Harassed While Walking to the Post Office
Location: 18th and M St NW (Farragut North/Dupont)
Time: Daytime (9:30am-3:30pm)
I was catcalled yesterday (12:04pm) walking to the post office to mail a letter to my dad. I was walking towards the crosswalk on 18th and M st NW, and almost didn’t notice the bike messenger coming my way on the sidewalk. I hesitated for a moment, but he turned and went around me. I came a stop to wait for the ped-walk and he whistled at me as he biked behind me. My heart jumped and I froze, the blood rushed to my head.
It’s funny, because I prepare for this moment from the second I leave the office, but it always jolts me – I get that rush of adrenaline. I look at him as he biked down M towards Connecticut avenue, my heart still in my ears. He made eye contact and smirked at me.
The only thing I could force out of my mouth was “Catcalling is harassment!!”. The crosswalk had a large lunch crowd on both sides. Some stared at me, no one said anything. I marched across the crosswalk when the light changed and went inside the post office to mail my letter.
Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 6/4/13 by “Dechanique.”
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