We’re all familiar with our fuzzy friends on the Internet, whether they be jumping through hoops, causing chaos in the cabinets, or being total sweethearts. However, cats may serve a purpose beyond companionship, especially in the form of art.
I’ve heard and seen several comments online that the less positive perception of cats stems from their lack of reception to unannounced attention, which isn’t a problem for dogs. The problem should sound familiar: Most women deal with catcalling, staring, and even harassment on a regular basis, none of which have consent.
And both cats and women face backlash for not following “politeness protocols” when dealing with this attention even though…the people giving the attention in the first place weren’t following the protocol, either. Whether it be cats hissing and swatting when they’re caught off-guard or women writing catcalls on NYC sidewalks, the rest of society doesn’t look at them with much empathy (Hosie, 2017). In the case of cats, owners perceive them as mean; with the sidewalk catcalls, people hose down the words without a thought as to why they’re on the sidewalk in the first place (Hosie, 2017). So, I propose adopting the cat as a feminist icon for consent.
Feminist icons are nothing new. I learned in a political-science class that the bicycle serves as a feminist icon and has since 1890. Another, more prominent icon would be Rosie the Riveter from World War II and the 1940s. But consent is a new concept to most people in society, so I haven’t seen any icons reflecting consent.
The icon would provide a way to keep consent in the forefront of important conversations without the risk of stigma. Cats are also relatable to a good portion of people, so the icon would likely reach a large audience and start that conversation with more people.
Overall, cats would be a great icon for consent – and feminism in general – due to their similarities with women. These icons have long-lasting roots, and they would likely spread the concept to more people due to familiarity. So, it’s time to let the cat out of the bag and onto the icon.
Hosie, R. (2017, December 5). Catcalls of NYC: The project raising awareness of street harassment. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/catcalls-of-nyc-instagram-street-harassment-women-sexual-men-new-york-us-a8092636.html