Not OK

Aileen

Inspired by #TheySaid, except it wasn’t what he said, it was what he did. A boy in my year made a comment about girls shaving, I made a comment back. Thing is, I don’t remember what either of us said, all I remember is him pinning me to the wall and pulling up my trouser leg so he could make fun of how hairy I was. I think we were about 13, maybe 14 at the time. Weird that I only remembered this when I saw that hashtag and started thinking back about my body-shaming experiences. I wonder what else I don’t remember…?

Today, our school had Fun Night, a night where we could take photos, go on rides, eat junk, etc. My friends and I are all eleven. Anyways, one of my friends (we are both pretty but boys think she has a good body — so sexual) and I were walking to the face paint station, and a sixth grader went, “Babes.” His friend catcalled. My friend didn’t hear, but I did. Even though I heard it, I ignored him. Was that the right thing to do? What scares me is that next year I’m going to school with these boys. And that this is happening at such a young age.