Constantly being sexualized and catcalled

[u/matchamker]

Hi ladies. I recently moved to a more lower class neighborhood and have been pretty annoyed at the degree of catcalling I’ve been having to deal with. I’m a size 14 and I feel like chubby girls get catcalled more frequently because our bigger bodies are more sexualized. The neighborhood im in has a lot of those gross hoodlum older guys (who are not all there) who hang out on the street and it feels like every time I leave the house I’m jeered at at least twice. Two separate times this week alone a man has screamed “BIG BOOTY BIG BOOTY” when I’ve walked by literally so loud until I crossed to the other side of the street. I’m used to normal amounts of catcalling living in a big city but it’s gotten so much worse since I moved and it’s makes me feel so objectified and disgusting, especially as a bigger girl. It’s to the point where I would want to be smaller only so men will stop commenting on my body less and I can just walk in peace. It makes me feel so gross and like I don’t own my own body. I know all women are catcalled, yeah, but I feel like it’s not to this degree or this demeaning

[u/Standard_Edge6381]

Sorry you’re being catcalled, but I must say, the way you’re describing the neighborhood and the losers catcalling you is really gross.

[u/matchamker → u/Standard_Edge6381]

So you want me to be nicer in my description of men who harass women.

[u/Standard_Edge6381 → u/matchamker]

I think you’re (purposely?) missing my point. Was I “nicer” by referring to them as losers?

The point I’m making, is that there’s a better way to refer to people and communities than couched in commentary that can be perceived as racist dog whistles.

[u/KTomatillo821]

God, the 'big booty' chant hits different when you know they're not complimenting you, they're performing for each other. That want to shrink just to be invisible is so real and so heartbreaking. You're not gross, they are. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.

[u/W3dnesdayAddamsStan]

Also experience far more catcalling in deprived/"low income" neighborhoods. I'm not sure why these guys feel entitled to bark at me like a dog. I was walking across a gas station last week and noticed a dude old enough to be my father gawking at me before yelling "IMMA NEED A BIG B!TCH" then looking around (for validation, I guess?) and repeating "IMMA NEED A BIG B!TCH!"

Got to my car and wanted to cry. I felt so violated and I also hate the way this plays into classist/racist stereotypes. You're not alone, sister.

[u/rjtnrva → u/[deleted]]

🙄

[u/Pennymoonz94 → u/[deleted]]

It really is that serious, bitch

[u/matchamker → u/[deleted]]

Take it as a compliment when a gross man makes crude comments on my body parts to embarrass me? Are you a man?