Poor Form, BedStuy

I moved to NYC in March and beginning in May I was living in a sublet in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Not my ideal choice, but cheap and with a friend, so not a bad deal for a couple of months, or so I thought. I have never been harassed so much in my life as in the 8-block, 10-minute walk it took me to get from my front door to the train and back. I have lived in Brazil before and there the men constantly catcall, so even though this neighborhood was annoying, I figured I could deal. Now, I have big curly brown hair and a generous behind, and this definitely attracted attention in that area but what am I supposed to do, dress in a brown sack? Like I said, I figured I could deal with it. One night, however, I was walking home along Nostrand Ave. and a big SUV full of guys, windows down and music blasting, drives in the opposite direction and pulls into a side street right into my path, so that I have to walk around the back of the car. As I walk up to it, they start the customary, "Oooh, girl, mmm hmm!" and all of that typical bullshit, and of course I pretend like I can't hear them because that's what I always do. I also wasn't frightened they were going to physically assault me because the street itself is pretty busy, and even though it was after midnight there were some other people, including men in suits and other people coming home from work. Anyway, I walk behind the car ignoring them, but as I get around it and start walking away from them, one of them shouts (and I mean he screamed it), "I would SUCK your little pink clit. YES I WOULD!" and then he and his buddies just laughed, didn't even drive away, just sat there laughing. It was the most invasive, disturbing and disgusting thing anyone has ever said to me, and I was absolutely shocked at the nerve of these men. I mean, how would they feel if someone talked to their mothers or sisters that way? What's worse, none of the men walking near me said anything back to them. I mean, I don't expect anyone to stick up for me per se, but would it kill you to reprimand the members of your gender that are giving all of you a bad reputation? I mean, grow a pair and tell these assholes you don't talk to women like that, since lord knows that won't listen to us! After that night, I started staying at my sister's place when I got out of work late, and by July I had moved out. I will never ever live in that neighborhood or any other where I feel threatened on a constant basis. EVER. Unfortunately I just found out this site exists, otherwise I would have definitely taken their picture. Hopefully there won't be a next time....

Submitted by Sage