Call for Submissions : 'Dear Sister' and 'Occupied Bodies'

Hey all. Many posts to come. First, here are some opportunities for Lexington and KY voices to be heard.

Check this link for information about submitting your letters and stories of violence and more importantly how you have overcome them. They are also looking for stories specifically from people of color, so that is great. I love when people are intentional about diversity.

Another publication, 'Occupied Bodies' is looking for personal stories of perception from people of color. Very interesting.

I would encourage anyone that wants to submit but is afraid that they won't get in to do it anyway. I responded to an ad in Skirt! magazine a month ago and they interviewed me and put me in the July issue. Photo by Kelli Patrick. Get out Lexington.

Street Harrassment

This is a real problem, and it happens everywhere. I prefer the definition of street harassment provided by the amazing women at Incite

An interaction in a public space that:

makes you feel sexualized, intimidated,embarrassed,objectified, violated, attacked, or unsafe.

An interaction in a public space that:

restricts your movement or makes you modify your behavior in an attempt to avoid the possibility of being verbally and/or physically harassed.

Some of the of the behaviors that represent street harassment are:

Whistling, kissing noises, psssst noises
Comments like “Give me a smile!” and “Hey baby!”
Yelling from a distance
Blocking a woman’s path
Grabbing, groping, touching
Following (on foot, in a vehicle)
Honking

What are your experiences with street harassment in Lexington? Where were you when it happened? How did you respond?

Also, I've printed a ton of anti-street violence brocures from Incite's action page that I intend to distribute around town. They're AMAZING. They define street harassment, talk about why it's dangerous, and list things you can do if you're being harassed on the street, as well as things men can do to educate other men about street harassment (not that men are the only ones who harass people on the street).

If you'd like some brochures to give to friends, leave at your school, doctors office, grocery store, etc. you can download the PDF from the above link, or get in touch with me and I'll give you some. My email is laexigente@gmail.com

xo,

delas.