On Jan. 28, though it unfortunately could have been any day, Christen Brandt was walking through the 34th Street subway station in New York when a man, a stranger, told her, “Damn, you have some great legs.” She was wearing a long coat and boots that covered up most of her legs. No matter. Brandt continued walking, but the man followed her and added, this time with possible hostility, “Did you hear me, honey? I said you have nice legs. Damn! Thank you.” The unwarranted gratitude was the final straw.
It was the “thank you” that got me. As if my 5 inches of legging-covered skin were there for him. Given as a gift wrapped in brown tights. Existing in the world for him to appreciate, or not.
Next time you wonder whether your skirt is too short, next time you ask your teen daughter to change her clothes, or the next time you hear about school dress codes in the news, remember this photo.
I am in a f*cking parka and boots. And it. doesn’t. matter.
All women have these moments. All of us. And yet the world acts as if it’s still our problem to fix. Get your sh*t together, guys. I, for one, am sick of dealing with it. (Via Facebook)
Brandt’s Instagram and Facebook posts instantly went viral, and she got “so many amazing messages of support.” Unfortunately, because this is the internet we’re talking about, she also obtained hate mail. Ugly, disgusting, misogynistic hate mail. Rather than delete the comments, or even the photos, Brandt rounded up the “worst public commentary” she received, and put it on her website, Christen’s Inbox. Want to know what it’s like to be a woman writing about her truth on the internet? Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Sadly, there are many more at Christen’s Inbox.
(Via Christen’s Inbox)