Imagine a hypothetical situation – the sun sets and it gets dark outside. But unlike other days, men have to stay indoors because they have a deadline. What would women, non-binary people and gender nonconforming folks do? Could they go out without any fear? Sounds like utopia, right?
A civil rights activist, Danielle Muscato, asked this question on Twitter. And the responses are chilling and insightful. Especially in the #MeToo era.
Apart from men, most replies thought that their lives will be better off. The reaction to this viral tweet highlight how the fear of being assaulted is universal; irrespective of which part of the world you live in. Especially at night, it’s a fear and anxiety which most women have internalised.
‘Is this How Guys Feel All the Time?’
The replies were about simple things like going out for a walk at night or having the chance to go for a run without worrying about being in danger.
Interestingly, when a user asked if that’s how men feel all the time, the author – who’s a trans woman – said, it was.
‘Any Bar Like it Was a Lesbian Bar’
Many women said that they would be much more relaxed in public spaces and bars. They felt it would not require a constant looking over one’s shoulder.
“Men Respond to the Question”
There were responses from men as well; one of whom called it “heartbreaking” and “infuriating.”
Another user acknowledged that he never thought his freedom was a gender privilege before reading this Twitter thread.
What would you do if men had a 9PM curfew? Let us know in the comments below!
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