Everyday I travel in my car to my university. I dress modestly and by modest I mean I wear clothes which cover my body. I specially cover my head when I am driving because it is something I have seen in my family since childhood. When someone asks me about what I hate about driving I mention traffic, motorcycles and semi-constructed roads. I forget to mention a few things which I will talk about here. Those are,
HONKS, WHISTLES, STARES, SMILES AND WINKS.
As much as I enjoy singing along to the Kygo – Firestone ft. Conrad Sewell, I avoid it because it might attract unwanted attention. On Monday I was proved wrong. Skipping the song didn’t work because the ill-mannered guy on the motorcycle still decided to give me that dirty smile along with his wink. I am thinking I should get back to listening to songs and enjoying them while I drive because men will be men.
Let’s get back to the real problem. Did I do something wrong? Is my face too beautiful that the men can’t help but wink? Are they punishing me for being a bad driver? But should the punishment be that intense that his scary smile shocked me at that very moment. Should the punishment be that powerful that his wink and the look on his face remained with me till today (Wednesday)? Should the punishment be so extreme that it made me devote my time, a post on my blog and your attention?
Oh come on Ammarah, let it go, he is illiterate and deprived. Well then, if he is deprived then soon a little girl who is dreaming to go alone to her university in her car will be deprived of that opportunity. Of course, her parents would never want to risk their daughter out there where men are hungry.
I am thankful to my parents that they didn’t raise me in a shell. They let me experience and explore so here I am, not giving up on singing along to the Kygo song but people, there are girls who are very sensitive and protected and there are girls who were raped.
To the guys who make a joke out of movements like #metoo and blame women for an unusual incident, just realize the privilege and the position you have in society. Realize that women are humans and not a meal. They deserve respect and you have to give it to them.
Tomorrow morning will be about pitying men who don’t realize the importance of women, good breakfast, full tank, windows rolled down, speed touching whatever the speed limit is and of course the Kygo – Firestone ft. Conrad Sewell song.
Ammarah Imran 