The Bombay group - Deepa, Pallavi, Piroja, Rajvi, Shriya, Shreeda, Sonika - distributed testimonials in the VT Subway on Friday, June 16.
Photos and the girls' perceptions of the intervention to follow.
I chose Jasmeen's testimonial for the blogathon because I think this sums up what we're trying to achieve with Blank Noise - Who we are, where we go, what we wear, how we sit, stand, talk, walk in our very own cities. When we demand the need to make our cities non-threatening , I don’t expect anyone to think of me as their sister or mother, but to really look at women as citizens who have every right to be out on the streets, without any explanation. Sometimes we just love to walk, stand around, hang around, without looking ‘avaliable'.
We stood around the subway - such a teeming public space - watching the crowds rush past, staring back at men who stared at us. Some rushed away, some came to take a testimonial, while others seemed to think it was some sort of a game and tried to stare as long as possible. What was empowering was this reclamation, in whatever small sense, of a subway that women use every single day, and get harassed in.
We also plan another Bombay intervention on Sunday, June 25. If you're interested in participating, please mail chininath@rediffmail.com.
5 comments:
The intervention was so powerful.I feel empowered and in control of the situation.The height of intimidation -When a women looks a man in the eye and is able to hold her stare for longer time than the man.The experience was fantastic.I expected some men to stare back or wink or do somehting nasty but fortunately or unfortunately nothing of that sort happened because they just looked away.Were they scared,curious or just in a hurry..i dont know...but overall we alldid our best and hats off to peroja for being the best "lecher"amongst us.Looking forward to more interventions like these and better responses from people.
hi jasmeen..wanted to know how the thing in chennai went abt. i am basically a chennaiite but studying right now in singapore. can i be of any help????
Bravo !
I appritiate the efforts group is contributing towards the good cause. I wish u all the very best and at the same time hope it wont end up looking suspiciously at every single male around on this earth.
wishes,
+nav
Bravo !
I appritiate the efforts group is contributing towards the good cause. I wish u all the very best and at the same time hope it wont end up looking suspiciously at every single male around on this earth.
wishes,
+nav
navneet - we certainly hope it wont as well! that is certainly not our intention at ALL!
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