This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SCAD chapter.

I wear what I wear because I feel great in it.

Whether I feel flirty, bold, or simply comfortable,

I wear what I wear because I feel great in it.

I walk around the city to feel great in it.

Whether I’m working, exploring, or simply relaxing,

I walk around the city to feel great in it.

I wake up everyday hoping to feel great.

Whether I’m going to classes, hanging with friends, or simply watching tv in bed,

I wake up everyday hoping to feel great.

I do not wear what I wear to be whistled at.

My shorts are high waisted because it’s the fashion I’m interested in.

I do not wear what I wear to be honked at.

My skirt is flared out because it’s the fashion I’m interested in.

I do not wear what I wear to be yelled at.

My jeans are this tight because it’s the fashion I’m interested in.

I do not wear what I wear to be starred at.

My dress reaches the floor because it’s the fashion I’m interested in.

I do not wear what I wear to be uncomfortable.

My tops vary in different silhouettes because they’re the fashion I’m interested in.

I do not wear what I wear to be asked,

“Well what were you wearing?”

Some people say, “say something to stand up for yourself.”

Others say “just ignore it.”

I should not have to say or do either of those things.

Some say, “you are just a pretty girl.”

Some say, “boys will be boys.”

They have no manners or home training either way.

Cat calling is abuse.

No it is not attractive.

No it does not make me interested.

“How are you doing today?” would do just fine.

Cat calling is harassment.

No it is not a form of showing interest.

No it is not a form of a greeting.

“Hello” would do just fine.Catcalling is unwanted street harassment. There are comments, gestures, and actions that are done without consent to a stranger in a public setting. When I walk outside to enter the world, to achieve what I set out for, there should be no worries of my safety. My perception of my safety in public should not be jeopardized due to the fact that I can’t even grab a cup of coffee on a Monday morning in my pajama pants without being disrupted for the simpleton fact that I am female and the disrupter is male.

Catcalling is not complementary. It can influence and alter individuals’ behaviors and mindset in a negative way. No one should wake up looking in the mirror at their physical appearance feeling ashamed of their body because a fool whistled at them. No one should wake up dreading the day because they have to take public transportation to work and the idiot that gets on the bus at the fourth stop, sits next to them every Monday through Friday to whisper in their ear, “damn you look better looking than yesterday.” No one should have the fear of sexual victimization because they wore a dress last week and a nitwit honked at them.

Don’t honk at me!

Pictures in order are by:

Tobias Zils https://unsplash.com/@herrzett

Jeshoots https://unsplash.com/@jeshoots

Nastya Polyakova https://unsplash.com/@nasplkva

Jiri Wagner https://unsplash.com/@jiri_wagner

Christian Koch https://unsplash.com/@xt1an