Friday Facebook Forum: Is Our Definition of Harassment too Broad?

“It’s not fair, you girls have never been attracted to me. I don’t know why you girls aren’t attracted to me. But I will punish you all for it.” - Elliot Rodger

For the first time, Chicagoings.com is hosting a Facebook chat, today, between the hours of 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on the subject of harassment. By now, most of you have seen the video “10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman”. Some people feel the media is taking this one example too far and by “some people” I mean “people I know” and by “people I know” I mostly mean “some guys I know”.

Unfortunately, the conversation of what is and what is not appropriate when addressing a stranger on the street is now being buried under issues of race and politics. Today, let’s stick to the meat of the matter. When is behavior inappropriate? How can we (both men and women) deter unwanted behavior? What’s your story and how did you diffuse the situation? If the situation escalated, what action did you take for your own safety?

Do you feel safe walking the street, taking the train, minding your business in Chicago?

Got a second? Leave a comment now.