An Open Letter to Catcallers

While I’m from a small, nameless town from Southern California, my interest in journalism often leads me to work in Los Angeles, California, a city of aspiring performers, street-food, and super expensive parking spots.

Oddly enough, the times that I’ve been in Los Angeles plenty of times, there’s something about the city that makes me feel safe. So when I was catcalled on the city streets on the way to a Drake Bell concert, something within me made me realize the real stories of the society we live in today.

I’ll never forget the catcallers begging me to flash a smile or worse things I wouldn’t dare say, but what sticks with me even more is the action of catcalling. For a very long time, women have been objectified for their body, wanted only for their outer beauty. And you know what? I’m pretty tired of it.

I am a strong, independent woman that likes high heels and pretty dresses, and I’m tired of this being a reason as to why my safety should be jeopardized. I am more than what I wear or how my hair looks; I am the collective result of the different cultures, values and beliefs introduced to me. I have more to offer to the world than my looks, and it’s time for people to begin realizing that catcalling’s out of style.

Dear catcallers, you calling us out on the street as we’re trying to make it to an appointment, a class, or a concert is getting old. If you’re trying to get our attention, it’s not cute. If you want to make an impression on someone, how about you try educating yourself on the rules of being a gentleman and presenting yourself in a kind and cultured way?

One day, there will be a day where women can walk in the streets and not feel jeopardized by the leering eyes that follow. One day, little girls will grow up and not feel like their life mission is to get married and have children, but they can also be a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer if they wanted to. Until this day, I will walk (with pepper spray in hand!) confidently and ready to change the gender stigmas in the city.

Julia Schemmer is a senior from Norco High School, where she participates in five AP classes, is the president of the Female Empowerment Club and Link Crew, and publicist of Chinese Culture Club, American Cancer Society, and the FIDM Fashion Club. Aside from managing the communications at Her Culture, she is the founder of She Speaks Media and The Face of Cancer, editor for The Prospect Magazine, editor in chief of Motivation Daily, and contributor for the Huffington Post. Her future endeavors consist of becoming an international human rights lawyer, foreign correspondent, diplomat, and finally seeing the day where Leonardo DiCaprio wins an Oscar.