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Holla' At Me...Or Not
"I worry about what would happen if a man one day decides to do more than yell obscene thing."
By Darlene Etuk
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to this Commentary!
Most young women are familiar with guys trying to "holla'" (or catcall) at them. The story's all too familiar: boy approaches girl he thinks finds attractive and tries to get her number...or at least have a little conversation. But what do young women really think of this urban tradition? Is it romantic, or just plain scary? Youth Radio's Darlene Etuk takes a closer look at hollering, and explains why she's sick of guys yelling at her on the street.
Has anyone ever tried to “holla'” at you? You know, yelled at you in a supposedly friendly, but actually degrading way. Sometimes guys holla' at me, wanting me to come and give my number even though they are complete strangers. You know, when they say, “Aye girl, can I get your number?”
Other fellows try to get my attention by calling me by my outfit, like, “Blue shirt, come here girl!” And when I don’t answer, they insult me.
This happens all the time...when I’m walking home from school or when I’m leaving the train station. Sometimes a car will actually slow down beside me and someone inside will “holla'” at me. I refuse to “holla' back” or talk to them.
I worry about what would happen if a man one day decides to do more than yell obscene things. What if the person is a psycho and jumps out of their car and attacks me? The logic behind someone thinking it is okay to holla' at me might be the same thinking that leads to something more deplorable.
- Youth Radio Atlanta is produced in cooperation with WABE and funded in part by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
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