Taking the POWER back from street harassment.
In collaboration with Cat Calls of NYC, we hosted a (COVID-safe) catwalk in TriBeCa, the home of where most power dynamics originated. Featuring a diverse open cast of nyc models, creatives, activists and more we took to the street to serve as the reminder:
WE hold the power.
Photographers:
Runway shots by Emily Aronica
Backdrop shots by Savanna Ruedy
Jacket shots by Mark Elzey
"What even are you?!"
“This is what people yell at me or write to me when they confront the fact that I do not abide by gender norms, stereotypes or ideals. These words are meant to be weapons--to chip away at my pride and pierce my gentle soul--but what they don’t know is that although, yes, these words are painful to hear, they also carry positive potential. I understand experiences like this as a gateway to learning (even if subconsciously) about gender fluidity and the validity of gender nonconforming existence--simply by existing loudly and proudly as me for the world to see.
When these encounters occur, self love and self care is of utmost importance, so I do the internal work to rewrite the narrative from one that carries negative weight into a story of affirmation--I’m talking about the power of perspective. I take back control from these situations by writing my story for myself and not allowing others to hold the pen--these words are meant to be degrading and dehumanizing, but when they say, “What even are you?!”, I say to myself, “I am me. 100% authentic. A perfectly imperfect human being. Who are you?”
- Lex @lex_horwitz
"I've never been with a thick Asian before."
“I deal with street & online harassment everyday and sadly enough I have been so used to it that I just tune out the noise and keep walking. There has been a few times where old men came up to me asking for my price when I was just heading to the local bodega for a breakfast sandwich. Even one time, where I was wearing a black romper for the first day of Summer and a random man saw me come out the subway station, and then followed me for a whole block and grabbed my arm - demanding me to tell him what "spa" I worked in to give him a happy ending. And dating... that's a whole other topic of looking for the genuine folx versus the fetishization and tokenism I face.
The harsh reality is that this is some of our realities. We don't have a moment to dwell so we keep on walking and strutting! If I took every bully and fatphobic comment to heart I would not be able to survive. I grew up thinking I can be "beautiful" if I lost weight and that deteriorated my body and my spirit. As I have grown, aged even older and more in love with my skin.. I can't think of wasting any time on these noises and judgements against me and my physicality. I am beautiful. I am loved. I am worthy to take up space!”
- Kaguya @p.s.kaguya
"I heard women with piercings give good head."
Just like many others, I experience cat calling/ street harassment on a near daily basis- almost any time I leave my home and go into public spaces.
“This can range from typical "give me a smile" or sounds like "mmmmm" to much more intense instances like my chalk statement "I hear women with tongue piercings give good head" and these even sometimes escalate to physical situations whether a brush of fingers on my arms, a hand on my low back, or a stranger pulling me in for an unwanted kiss.
It's always an odd (and scary) situation because you never know exactly how to react in a way that will avoid any escalation because quite frankly it can easily transition into a terrifying situation, some people get very angry when their advances are declined.. Overall I've come to just ignore it as much as possible and continue walking as quickly as I can..
In the same way I think it's challenging to think of or come up with some sort of solution and quite honestly very often I doubt there is one. But, if I were to suggest, I would say just like many other things, education tends to be the best option. Firstly bringing awareness just like Cat Calls of NYC, is very important, that way it's harder to ignore. Secondly educating at a young age what type of behavior is inappropriate, to know that that type of attention is not only unwanted but downright disrespectful and in many instances also a scary experience for many. Thirdly people need to be held accountable for their actions, something should be done in these instances and if you're a bystander, be an ally- help be witness and protect people you see falling victim to harassment! We work better together.”
- Cassandra @cassandragracelondono
"You aren't gay. You just haven’t been f*cked by the right d*ck yet."
As two femme presenting, queer women, when we walk down the street holding holds, we started taking in all the street harassment as a celebration of our love. So when men scream out, ridiculous things like, "You aren't gay. You just haven’t been f*cked by the right d*ck yet.” We pretend like they are cheering us on and think about our lipstick boldly rejecting their voice over our own. Because we know the truth about our love, and the screaming man's insecurities he is trying to project on us.
As far as a solution for safety, we have found saying "Thank You" to the harasser often kills the joy for them, and the less attention they receive back for their antics, the less the receiver seems affected, the less likely they will be to continue harassing people on the street.
- Alexis and Christina @fempowerbeauty
"Not the most masculine man."
“Growing up in Harlem was extremely difficult for me. I experienced being bullied for being pigeon toed , having a lisp and not being the most masculine man .I would also experience being called weird by the kids in my neighborhood because I wasn’t like them . When most guys were playing sports I would rather be home watching American next top models ,project runway or law and order svu . We didn’t really share the same interests in things which was a problem for most. For a long time I felt I couldn’t really be myself because I would constantly get judged until I got older and I realized I’m not the problem!
I believe people who harassed others are damaged within and are calling for help. Instead of trying to belittle your fellow people they should work on their mental , spiritual and physical being. If I was able to come up with a solution I would promote culture diversity training in different neighborhoods across the city because I know it would help alleviate some current issues among the lgbtqia+ community . Encouraging the community by enlightening and holding workshops and webinars Are ways to open the community up to all the differences as well as the similarities that they won’t know . By doing this we are helping people be educated on sexuality, genders , roles and pronouns .
We aren’t asking you as an individual to agree with our lifestyle, but we are asking you to at least have an open mind to educate yourself and learn to respect others who you may not understand. I personally enjoy being weird because being normal is basic so enjoy living in your truth as much as I enjoy living in mine. “
- Daquan @iamdaquanstudwood