1/ A thread on running and sexual violence, but not the way they’re sometimes connected.*
I’m a lifelong runner, roads and trails, sometimes short and sometimes long distances.
Today, running along a main road in town, a road with a clearly marked and wide shoulder...
I’m a lifelong runner, roads and trails, sometimes short and sometimes long distances.
Today, running along a main road in town, a road with a clearly marked and wide shoulder...
2/ I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Running against traffic, broad daylight, well to my side of the line.
It’s clear that oncoming cars and trucks are supposed to watch for pedestrians. They aren’t supposed to cross the line.
It’s clear that oncoming cars and trucks are supposed to watch for pedestrians. They aren’t supposed to cross the line.
3/ The cars aren’t supposed to send me diving into the grass or into a ditch.
Yet, whenever I run on the roads, whether it’s this road or a quiet residential lane, my guard is constantly up. Will this oncoming car veer too close to me? Is the driver paying attention?
Yet, whenever I run on the roads, whether it’s this road or a quiet residential lane, my guard is constantly up. Will this oncoming car veer too close to me? Is the driver paying attention?
4/ Will this next car be that rare driver who thinks it’s funny to swerve at me?
Drivers are asked only to not cross the lines painted on the road. And when there aren’t lines, the cars just need to not run me over as I’m taking my little bit of pavement out of their wide berth.
Drivers are asked only to not cross the lines painted on the road. And when there aren’t lines, the cars just need to not run me over as I’m taking my little bit of pavement out of their wide berth.
5/ Sure, most drivers share the road. Some also are runners. Many others follow the rules.
And yet it’s on me to ensure that drivers follow the rules. If they veer too close, I need to be sure I have time to jump out of the way.
And yet it’s on me to ensure that drivers follow the rules. If they veer too close, I need to be sure I have time to jump out of the way.
6/ The cars are more powerful, more privileged. So it's my responsibility, as a runner, to ensure that cars don’t hit me. It's not just that I need to follow the rules on my end. I need to be sure they're following the rules too.
7/ I’m not asking a lot from these drivers – I don’t care what sort of car they drive, what music they listen to , or (within reason) how fast they drive.
I just want them to follow the basic rules. And if they don’t, it’s far worse for me, most likely, than it is for them.
I just want them to follow the basic rules. And if they don’t, it’s far worse for me, most likely, than it is for them.
8/ Maybe this is why the current moment is so frustrating for women: all we ask is that men and teenage boys follow some simple and clear rules – do not sexually assault us, do not use power differentials to exploit us, do not act as if your transgressions are somehow our fault.
9/ All we are asking is that you not run us over, when we are simply living our lives, doing our jobs and existing in the world.
And yet, we are told since childhood that if men do happen to violate these simple rules, it is somehow our fault.
And yet, we are told since childhood that if men do happen to violate these simple rules, it is somehow our fault.
10/ We should know better than to hang out with the boys from that prep school. Having a beer at that party or a drink at that bar wasn’t a good idea. Perhaps one shouldn’t go to the bathroom without taking a friend along.
So, finally getting to the analogy with running....:
So, finally getting to the analogy with running....:
11/ This notion that women and girls bear responsibility for preventing the actions of (a few) men isn’t dissimilar to the idea that runners have sole responsibility for their safety when on the roads.
12/I’m not talking about runners needing to avoid stupid actions, like darting across traffic or running without a light in the pitch dark.I’m talking about the fact that, even when doing nothing wrong, we still have to be vigilant, to be responsible for avoiding others' actions.
13/ Sure, I could avoid the need for constant vigilance. I could find new forms of exercise. I could run trails (and I often do). I could run with others, in hopes we’d be more visible. I could run only on roads with sidewalks separated from the road by a large strip of grass.
14/ But I don’t always want to. Sometimes,I want to run up the main road through town, and I want to do it with less worry than I did today.
I want to exist in the world without having to worry about being harassed in the workplace, or about being the target of sexual violence.
I want to exist in the world without having to worry about being harassed in the workplace, or about being the target of sexual violence.
15/ So, men who run: next time you’re out on the roads, think about that low level vigilance you also (I assume) have.
That’s sort of what it’s like to move through this world as a woman, always a little worried more generally about avoid being harassed or being assaulted, AND
That’s sort of what it’s like to move through this world as a woman, always a little worried more generally about avoid being harassed or being assaulted, AND
end/
being socialized to think that it’s YOUR job – not that of the drivers of the cars – to keep yourself safe.
*What I haven’t mentioned here: harassment and safety while running. That's a whole other rant. (I’m lucky that those things have only very rarely happened to me).
being socialized to think that it’s YOUR job – not that of the drivers of the cars – to keep yourself safe.
*What I haven’t mentioned here: harassment and safety while running. That's a whole other rant. (I’m lucky that those things have only very rarely happened to me).
