One of the scariest things a man can be to me is unpredictable. I am sorry if someone lives on the street, but the second someone starts breaking social rules (be it following me, talking to me in an inappropriate context, or invading my personal space) I get very afraid that you will break other social rules (like that you will touch me, over power me, rape or kill me). I will never apologize for prioritizing my safety over a man’s feelings, and I don’t think it’s right to ask women to prioritize a man’s safety over her own.
Calling the cops on a homeless person is definitely putting them at risk, but allowing an unpredictable person into my space is also putting my safety at risk.
Unhoused women, mentally ill stranger women, or women who are clearly on drugs do not give me the same fear, so I am polite, and then just prioritize getting away from them unless they do something egregious. They don’t give me the freeze, fight, or flight response.
One of the scariest things a man can be to me is unpredictable. I am sorry if someone lives on the street, but the second someone starts breaking social rules (be it following me, talking to me in an inappropriate context, or invading my personal space) I get very afraid that you will break other social rules (like that you will touch me, over power me, rape or kill me). I will never apologize for prioritizing my safety over a man’s feelings, and I don’t think it’s right to ask women to prioritize a man’s safety over her own.
Calling the cops on a homeless person is definitely putting them at risk, but allowing an unpredictable person into my space is also putting my safety at risk.
Unhoused women, mentally ill stranger women, or women who are clearly on drugs do not give me the same fear, so I am polite, and then just prioritize getting away from them unless they do something egregious. They don’t give me the freeze, fight, or flight response.