Here’s an interesting letter to the editor in Mountain Xpress. It’s written by my friend Bullet Miller, who works the streets of Ashvegas as a statue/mime performer, and she’s tired of people touching her. A tidbit:
I would like to respond that no one has a right to my body, and it is not my responsibility to create a fantasy world for anybody at the risk of my own safety and comfort. I know that I take a risk posing as an inanimate object, because people will treat objects like objects. But I am not an object. I am a human being.
Women are not dolls that can be touched, and when you harass me in public, it sets a bad example for everyone else around us, especially the children. I am referring to the adult males that repeatedly think it’s OK to make physical contact with me. Even small gestures can be very unsettling. I’m not asking for a miracle, but it would be nice if we all worked together to make our streets safe for everyone, especially women and children.
Please parents, teach your children respect for others, even if they don’t look “normal.” And for the sake of all of the street performers in Asheville, keep in mind that we are very aware of our surroundings and will not tolerate behavior that infringes on our rights as human beings. For the rest of you lovely people, thank you so much for making my life a brighter, more magical place