Blank Noise Spectators

Suparna Kudesia

Was sitting in an auto when the driver suddenly braked behind these two girls walking in a side alley. The girls were obviously startled and taken aback and the driver thoroughly amused by what he had done. He chuckled and stared at them as he rode away. After a few seconds of processing what had happened, I asked him to stop the auto and pull-over. When he did, I asked him why he did what he did. He was clearly suprised and not pleasantly at all when he responded, "Now what did I do?" I repeated my question asking him not what but why he did what he did. When he mumbled and bumbled for a bit I essentially decided it was pointless to beat about the bramble and tell him exactly what he did and what I thought of it. I wasn't yelling and was surprisingly composed. I was however, angry. He then responded with exasperation and asked what it would take for me to shut up. I was too mad to even respond to him, so I threw the fare at him and walked out saying my last few angry words.

How would you like the public to react?
I would like the public to first help create a space where one doesn't have to feel vulnerable and unsafe. I would then like people to understand that it is completely unacceptable to be violated sexually, physically, and emotionally. If they ever hear someone muster the courage to confront a perpetrator, they must verbally and physically communicate that they believe said survivor. Then there must be a sense of individual responsibility to confront the perpetrator even if you are not the one being harassed.