Harassment is a serious matter

While we greatly appreciate reporter Stephanie Conduff's article on street harassment in Boston, (``Hey baby!," Aug. 6, City Weekly) we were dismayed by the article's closing tone and implications. To end an article with Nan Stein's claim that street harassment should not be taken seriously by law enforcement because of an appeal to First Amendment rights is inconsistent and alarming. Street harassment exists on a wide spectrum of sexual violence crimes, and invalidating its harmful effects on women who experience it every day furthers the belief that perpetrators can denigrate women as they choose in public without repercussions.

The recent advancement of laws in the 1990s against sexual harassment in the workplace and in schools specifically invalidates this argument, which Ms. Stein clearly knows since she pioneered this effort. Hate crime legislation, after all, embodies a mission parallel to that of Holla Back Boston: to empower and protect those who belong to marginalized groups.

Furthermore, street harassment is absolutely being taken seriously by law in other cities. Undercover women cops made 13 arrests in 36 hours against perpetrators who harassed them on the New York City subway in June. It should not be considered so radical that we strive for the same equality, safety, and respect for women in public spaces in Boston.

Additionally, we would would like to note that the Cambridge meeting described in the story, hosted by Holla Back Boston, was at the invitation of the Boston chapter of NOMAS, the National Organization for Men Against Sexism.

Michelle Riblett Brittany Shoot Co-founders, Holla Back Boston