Class Year
2014
Document Type
Blog Post
Publication Date
11-11-2013
Department 1
Center for Public Service
Abstract
“Hey bitch!” someone yelled.
“Biiitttch!” I heard again from the car.
Music blared from inside. I pretended not to notice. Don’t give them the satisfaction, I thought. Don’t do something you’ll regret. So I stood there until the cars stopped whizzing past, pretending to ignore a car of boys yelling insults.
When the light changed, I hurried across Carlisle Street, got into my room, and lost it.
I was furious. Being reduced to an insult while walking home from a movie for class is infuriating. But, what really got under my skin was that incidents like this seem commonplace. While surprising in the moment, it doesn’t feel unexpected to be called a “bitch” and “whore” by a passerby, to be whistled at provocatively or to be talked about as if I am an object. It’s just part of life. [excerpt]
Copyright Note
This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution.
Recommended Citation
Sherif, Natalie S., "What I've Learned to Expect" (2013). SURGE. 53.
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/surge/53
Included in
Gender and Sexuality Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Comments
Surge is a student blog at Gettysburg College where systemic issues of justice matter. Posts are originally published at surgegettysburg.wordpress.com Through stories and reflection, these blog entries relate personal experiences to larger issues of equity, demonstrating that –isms are structural problems, not actions defined by individual prejudice. We intend to popularize justice, helping each other to recognize our biases and unlearn the untruths.