#MeToo Running Women Curfew
New York Times | BBC | The Guardian
Run with both earbuds in, AT NIGHT.
Really, women should feel able to go for a run at night without needing to stay super alert.
Which is why this thread has been such a shock for some of the men who read and responded to the thread, with some guys acknowledging that they take their freedoms for granted.
Here’s hoping women are able to walk the streets totally fearlessly one day - without the need for a curfew, of course - because strolling through forests at night time sounds pretty amazing.
Midnight running with both earphones in, anyone?
Don’t walk home alone after dark, avoid dimly lit streets, carry your keys in your hand, don’t open your front door to strangers…
These are the rules many women around the world unconsciously adhere to out of fear of what might happen if they don’t.
On 5 October 2017, one year ago this week, the New York Times published an article containing details of sexual harassment and assault claims in the film industry, allegedly committed by producer Harvey Weinstein.
This article kicked the #MeToo movement into fifth gear. The campaign, which was first started by African-American civil rights activist Tarana Burke in 2006, was suddenly in the international spotlight, as people all over the world shared their personal assault and survival stories on social media.
It started with actors and other film industry professionals, before being taken up by women and men all over the world - including migrant workers who risked their own safety to speak out about the abuse they suffered.
Now, a year on, US-based activist Danielle Muscato has reflected on #MeToo by posing a hypothetical question to women on Twitter: “What would you do if all men had a 9pm curfew?”
Ladies, a question for you:
"What would you do if all men had a 9pm curfew?"
Dudes: Read the replies and pay attention.#metoo #Kavanaugh #Cosby #feminism #maleprivilege #privilege— Danielle Muscato (@DanielleMuscato) September 25, 2018
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These were some of the responses.
Some women said they'd do something adventurous - like going for an evening stroll.
Oh my god. The mind reels. Go dancing? Take a walk? Open the front door without fear? https://t.co/v66MM38Btf
— Emily L. Hauser (@emilylhauser) September 30, 2018
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I'd walk a city in peace. https://t.co/EhnQY2JI2T
— Sonja Yoerg (@SonjaYoerg) September 27, 2018
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Some would squeeze in exercise.
I'd run at night.
I would run so much at night https://t.co/ToE2odrFAq— Kat(her)i(n)e Riley (@KatherineERiley) October 1, 2018
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Or watch the moon reflected in the sea.
Sit on the beach at night. https://t.co/MEAMr4R91I
— authentiKAYLI (@KayliVee) October 1, 2018
And even explore woodland after dark.
Run with both earbuds in, AT NIGHT. Not cross the road to the other sidewalk. I wouldn't worry about keeping my phone in my hand and locking my door the second I got inside the car. Walk in the woods, because it's beautiful at night. https://t.co/NEQ73e8ltK
— Karma Brown (@KarmaKBrown) September 27, 2018
Some women disagreed, though, and said the question makes it sound like all men are attackers.
But others were quick to respond that it’s not all men themselves who are at fault, but the fact that there’s sometimes no way to tell the difference between the ‘bad’ guys and the ‘good’ guys.
All of these answers are quite stark because of how simple these things should be. Really, women should feel able to go for a run at night without needing to stay super alert.
Which is why this thread has been such a shock for some of the men who read and responded to the thread, with some guys acknowledging that they take their freedoms for granted.
Here’s hoping women are able to walk the streets totally fearlessly one day - without the need for a curfew, of course - because strolling through forests at night time sounds pretty amazing.
Information and support is available from these organisations.
Originally published 3 October 2018.
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