A Man Tried To Strangle Me While I Was Walking Home: Reflections From A Misandrist

“The stranger had a long piece of clear fishing wire between his fingers. His hands were in the perfect position to easily sneak up behind me and strangle me; and I did not hear his footsteps at all!”

I was in college at the time. It was the day before my event with Clinique, and the brand required manicured fingers with pink or nude nail polish. So after my classes I made my way home and trekked up the hill to my local nail salon.

The salon was busy so I had to wait a while. Once my nails were finally done it was already dark outside. No matter. My house was only down the hill, about a ten minute walk away.

Once I left the nail shop I decided to grab some dinner at a restaurant nearby. After my food was ready I made my way downhill to turn into my neighborhood.

Only I didn’t know that a man was paying attention to me. While I thought I was the only person occupying the sidewalk, I was actually being followed.

I walked on the brightly lit sidewalk, lost in my thoughts and paying attention to my brown leather flats with each step I took. My chicken fingers dinner was in one hand and my handbag in the other. I was thinking about how excited I was for the next day; I was going to Georgetown, DC to be…