[transplant99]

Pretty spot on piece by a female writer from FTW.

Trying to get into a woman’s car at 2am, even if she is a security guard, is some seriously terrifying s**t. Women walk around constantly with the burden of being responsible for their own safety, especially late at night, which is something that Matthews, and a lot of men, have clearly never experienced.

It’s clear from Matthews’ actions after the incident that he has no idea how troubling this is or that he cares to learn. Per the incident report, after the security officer explained to Matthews how intimidating his behavior was, he then mooned her, dismissing her fear in the most juvenile way possible.

While no one is condoning what Matthews did, far too many people are willing to handwave his behavior away, as if empathy for women is trait that men will eventually grow into, and not something that should be expected of them at the tender age of 22.

Being “a drunk idiot”, is not a defense. Nor is “I was trying to be funny,” since a woman has no way of knowing someone else’s intentions. The statistics of sexual assault in America are appalling, with one in six American women reporting they’ve been the victim of rape or attempted rape.

These are the men we are trying to shield ourselves from. When women complain that this kind of behavior– that this drunk pack of roaming guys who think it’s “funny” to try to barge into someone’s work vehicle at 2 a.m. — is what scares us, please, please listen.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/map...re-no-laughing