Soon after moving to New York City in 1999, I found myself constantly angry just going about the business of the day. Though cat-calling (as it is termed) happens in every city, the frequency in NYC, due to the sheer number of people you encounter in a typical day, is amped up to an unrelenting pitch. For six months, from April to August 2001, I devotedly recorded the comments from strangers, which were always men, directed at me during a normal day on the streets of New York City. I did not change my habits or inclinations in any way during this time. I did not walk in specific areas or spend more time outside, nor even stop crossing to the other side of the street when I could sense possible harassment. I carried a small notebook and pen in my back pocket and simply wrote down the time of day and what was said to me. Often this changed the dynamic immediately giving me a sense of control in a situation in which I had always felt powerless. When you say, “Excuse me, could you repeat that?”, pen at the ready, to a guy who has just said, “Hey baby, nice ass”, there is a bit of a shake up. Although this is a common scenario most woman will recognize, we experience it in isolation. Unfortunately, it seems nothing has changed for the women of NYC.
In 2001, I made an elaborate 250 page volume, of the same name, finished with a thick, clear vinyl cover, bound with clear plastic tubing. The materials were intended to convey a fetishistic quality, thereby commenting on the objectifying nature of these frequent verbal arrests, as well as, acting as a humorous visual dichotomy to the vulgar and insidious content of the text. The reaction to the book was one of camaraderie among women and disbelief among men who do not engage in this sort of behavior. I wanted to a publish street version of this book so that some more of the camaraderie could overshadow the isolation and maybe we could even have a bit of a laugh. So, ladies this one is for you. - Heather Bennett
