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If I tell you about how I was creeped out by a man following me at Target and getting in my face while I was clearly on the phone to tell me "You look beautiful like Marilyn Monroe," don't make a joke about it. Harassment isn't funny.
When people make harassment into a joke, we normalize it. This is such a common occurrence for women. To be followed, to be told you should be grateful someone thinks that of you. I feel violated when it happens. Someone felt so strongly that I owed them something that they...
... felt the need to violate my space until I acknowledged them. He was literally next to my face. He kept yelling it and making a scene until I said thanks. Luckily it didn't escalate. But this idea that women (or anyone) owes you their time, attention, or body has got to go.
Now back to the "it's not funny part." I'm telling you I felt violated and I'm upset. How dismissive to make a joke about it. I've been harassed enough to know that that wasn't all he probably wanted to say to me. It's gross thinking about how people objectify you in their minds.
Joking about it makes it feel like it's not a big deal. Well, I'm here to tell you IT IS A BIG DEAL. So if you've done something like this or joked about something like this, it's time to rethink how you might be helping to perpetuate sexual harassment and do better.
