Do you like horror stories? If yes, then you should definitely have a look at the statistics on women harassment. Because boy, are they scary or what! And you know how in horror movies, the protagonists always do the one thing they shouldn’t be doing? Well, women make the same mistake. They are being women in such a scary world. Isn’t that the stupidest thing to do in this horror story?
But the mark of a truly great horror movie is how scared it makes you even after you’ve left the theatre and are in the comfort of your home. And believe me, this girl’s scary story sends just the right message.
McKenzie Smalley, a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, recently had a harrowing experience when a man began harassing her on the street. She recorded the entire event in multiple Snapchat videos.
She was on one of her usual runs and replying to a friend’s Snapchat message when the incident occurred.
McKenzie later compiled all the videos into a single clip and uploaded them on Facebook, along with a lengthy caption describing the incident and a hard-hitting plea to her fellow men and women.
McKenzie describes how despite her repeated pleadings, the man would not go away.
The frustrating part was that nobody in the vicinity helped her, even though they could clearly see that she was being harassed. And that scared her even more.
“What you don’t see on the video is me telling him multiple times To please stop following me and me looking at other cars saying “’ don’t know this man’ and nobody helping. Even a car full of women just drove around and laughed.”
She beseeched people, especially other girls, to help when they see someone in such a situation. To the men, she explained, as countless times women have, what constitutes harassment.
“Men, just because you aren’t touching her you can still harass a woman by your actions and words.”
As all victims of harassment do, she tried to figure out what it was about her appearance was so provocative as to compel the guy to harass her.
Luckily it didn’t escalate to worse. Which isn’t always the case for some women. When he started parking his car to get out is when I ran the opposite direction to get away from him but I have no doubt he would have followed me my entire run if he could.
I live in a safe neighborhood. I wasn’t showing my butt or my Cleavage. I had a crop top on but it’s almost 85 degrees. I wasn’t flirting with him. I wasn’t smiling at him or giving him false hope that there was a chance i was interested. I was ignoring him minding my own business. Then when he didn’t leave I was sternly telling him to leave me alone and he wouldn’t….
Her parting words were a chilling plea to men and women alike to mend the ways in which they approach such situations of harassment.
“Men, Don’t be this guy. And girls: don’t let guys like this harass you. Run away, report it, call the cops. Do what you have to.”
You can watch the entire video here.
https://www.facebook.com/hollaatmckenzie/videos/10156176553856798/
A part of me, and all women collectively, has to hope that McKenzie’s message has the necessary impact.
But the thing about horror stories is, most of them end up having sequels. Because the evil isn’t ever completely vanquished, is it?
Still, a girl can hope.