Commentary

walking around in this area at night almost guarantees a face-plant from stumbling on the heaving cracked sidewalks.

Damn, I really do hate it here.

I'm seriously considering the Heights or something at my next move.

I just reread this and got mad. Sheesh. Next I want to write about the fucking panda bear. Chavez wants to shell out $1 million a year for the upkeep of a panda, rationalizing that folks from Clovis will come to town to see the panda and drop the big bucks, circulating money into the economy. The panda will make money for the city!

Fix the goddamn sidewalks, moron! Albuquerque, with a few exceptions, looks like shit. Even the "EDo" corridor looks pretty shitty. If we got the panda, who wants to risk their life/sense of aesthetics to come here and see it?

"Albuquerque is on its way to becoming a world-class city." What deluded universe did you come from, mayor?!

"good looking" girls. As Levi mentions, it's everyone. And yes, the cops should cover more roads--by walking or biking (or riding their horses?) around areas other than Central between Third Street and Sixth Street on Friday and Saturday. Their current strategies seem ill-conceived. The idea of cops walking around everywhere does make me a little uncomfortable, but I would trade off being able to, say, walk down the street smoking a joint, for being able to walk down the street and not be harassed. (Oh yeah, and I didn't even mention being mad-dogged by the drug-addled hookers.)

or not VERY angry, at least. I do walk fast. I used to live with a tall, non-smoking pedestrian in San Fransico; my keeping-up speed became a habit. I NEVER got hassled in San Fran though. Not even at 3 AM while living in the Tenderloin. Plus, "street face" is something I learned well. Actually I was taught it, in college in New York: it was a required course! I DID get hassled there, pretty much all the time.

I enjoy walking though, like the endorphins I get from walking fast, and it's only after the walk (or when I can't avoid it, like falling, dodging cars or running) that I get pissed about it. Though I've been told many times that my face just looks naturally angry or sad, even while asleep. Goddam genetics fucked me socially, I guess. I'm usually with the glasses off and the headphones on as well. Thank you, invisible impervious privacy bubble!

As a woman and as a member of the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico, I agree that verbal harassment and unwanted sexual advances are unacceptable and threatening. However, Carr relies solely on prejudice and personal narrative to construct a “news” story that perpetuates inaccurate myths about sexual assault. Contrary to the article’s assumptions, the number one location for someone to be victim to a sexual assault is in their own home. The number two location: the perpetrators’ home. Why these locations? Because chances are that the perpetrator will be someone known and trusted by the victim (family member, neighbor, co-worker, intimate partner, etc). In fact, 89% of sexual assaults in New Mexico are perpetrated by someone known to the victim. This is significantly higher than the national average of 67%. The column’s ridiculous illustration (a drooling old man with wild eyes leaping out from a tunnel to attack a defenseless, light-haired, white woman) furthers the assumptions that people are never attacked by someone they already know. The typical sex offender is not a deranged, uncontrollable monster lurking beneath a tunnel.

Carr states that the verbal harassment she endures is “not solicited” because she does not “dress or walk ‘sexy’” – implying that other women are “asking for it” and, therefore, deserve to be assaulted. Unfortunately, sexual assault can happen to anyone, at anytime. The youngest client seen at the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico was 2 weeks old; the oldest was 90 years old. Furthermore, Carr reinforces the cultural myth that victims and perpetrators fall into sex-based categories: men vs. women. In fact, studies have shown that 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime and 1 in 5 males will be sexually assaulted in his lifetime. Assuming that all women are victims and all men are perpetrators obscures the reality that many men are survivors of sexual assault, and that women are offenders.

Finally, the suggested “solutions” are problems unto themselves. Carr’s first suggestion – more cops – ignores the fact that LGBTQ persons, people of color, and low-income and working class communities experience sexual assault, verbal harassment, and brutality from police forces on a daily basis. I support Carr’s second suggestion - better lighting throughout the city - because I know that I am much more likely to trip and twist an ankle than be assaulted by a “hidden bad guy”. There is no mention of the need for community education and outreach or that there are numerous sexual violence prevention programs throughout the city and state that are doing constructive and important work in the community.

The Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico is fighting to end the cultural silence around sexual assault. RCCNM works to raise awareness about the problem of sexual assault while also offering ways to both prevent it and cope with it. We run a crisis hotline (266-7711) and provide in-person advocacy at area hospitals 24-hours a day. Call us at 266-7711 or visit our website: [link] for accurate information about sexual assault and abuse. Volunteering is a great way to learn more while also joining the fight to end sexual assault. For information about volunteering, call 266-7711, visit the website, or email me at volunteer@rapecrisiscnm.org.

Megan McRobert

Volunteer Coordinator

Crisis Services Department

Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico

Firstly Ms. McRobert, where did you get the idea that my commentary was a "news" story? The text above it clearly says "commentary."

Secondly, this commentary was about living without a car in Albuquerque, about me being harassed and even assaulted on the street as a result of walking. It's about what women, ALL women, go through when they walk in this town. Frankly, this article has little to do with rape, race or the statistics you regurgitate.

Thirdly, you say "Carr states that the verbal harassment she endures is “not solicited” because she does not “dress or walk ‘sexy’” – implying that other women are “asking for it” and, therefore, deserve to be assaulted. Unfortunately, sexual assault can happen to anyone, at anytime."

I say in my article, "For women who walk in Albuquerque, this is not an unfamiliar scenario. It happens to every woman, everywhere she walks, repeatedly." And later, "For those of you who might be wondering, this attention is not solicited (I never dress or walk "sexy"). The question of why a simple walk in Albuquerque always turns into a forum for any man to comment upon any woman's sexuality is a whole other column."

That's funny, it doesn't seem like I suggest anyone deserves to be assaulted. On the contrary. In the article I talk about the plentiful Central hookers who do solicit sexual attention, but never suggest they deserve to be assaulted. Where you allege that I suggest sexual attention is somehow deserved, I mean to squash that very idea. I knew that if I didn't make that clear, many would write off the whole column, assuming I was doing something "sexy" and therefore deserved harassment. Besides, are you not alarmed by the fact that johns are attempting to pick up women who are dressed as simple office workers or college students? It's happened to me three times over the years. I've been offered money.

Fourthly, the illustration is a piece of shit I had nothing to do with. However, you say it "furthers the assumptions that people are never attacked by someone they already know. The typical sex offender is not a deranged, uncontrollable monster lurking beneath a tunnel." Again this commentary wasn't about rape. It's about being harassed by strangers while walking. Despite the stats, some people ARE assaulted/followed/harassed by strangers.

Congratulations. Way to bulldoze over, if not voluntarily ignore the point. And in a way, what you are doing to me here is exactly what you are accusing me of--being insensitive and invalidating a serious problem. I suggest you pull your head out of your ass, Ms. McRobert.

There are so many things that could be happening in that picture. I think the slobbering guy just said, "I'm tellin' ya, that's a counterfeit purse from Taiwan!"

I didn't mean the illustration was artistically a piece of shit, I meant to say it didn't work in the context of the article. Sorry, poor choice of words. The illo is funny--it looks like a drunken British letch grabbing an '80s business woman.

Why explain underclass? You can look up the definition yourself. You obviously have internet access: [link]

Obviously I'm not a perfect example of this socioeconomic group, as I only fit into the economic part and not the socio. Starving artist, although cliched, is more accurate.

Last week, I refrained from writing a response to “Walking in Burque,” despite the way it grated on my sensibilities as a burquena and a woman. However, after reading the responses to the “Walking” column, I feel compelled to put fingers to keyboard. Jessica, if you truly feel unsafe walking, there are safe alternatives. How can your personal physical safety be less important than contending with a “journey into the realm of untold American poverty”? (By the way, your characterization of the route 66 bus is hyperbole at best, classist fear-mongering at worst.) I took that bus for years between the Alvarado station and Girard and, while it wasn’t always a great experience, it was a cheap, safe ride. “The bus is yucky” is not an excuse to put yourself in a situation (walking home) which you clearly feel is dangerous. Besides, have you ridden the Rapid Ride yet? That bus is awesome. And rapid! As far as being afraid when people yell “hey girl” at you out a car window.......um, suck it up and ignore it. I mean really ignore it, rather than carry it around in your head for a year as an example of your victimization. Engage with people who are seeking your attention and you feed whatever motivates them. Your descriptions of the trials of walking in our city perpetuate the worst stereotypes of the vulnerable, helpless “lady.” Yes, the world is a dangerous place. But there are ways to navigate it that lessen your vulnerability and drastically reduce your chances of dangerous encounters. Annoying encounters (catcalls, etc.) can happen in any city, big or small, Denver or Albuquerque. What a woman can do is develop skills which allow her to deal with this unsolicited attention in a way that doesn’t leave her feeling powerless. As far as being followed, it’s amazing how quickly a jerk in a truck will peel out when he sees a woman pull out her cell phone and start dialing. Use your head and the tools you have available. Buy some mace if you feel it’ll make you safer! There are definitely areas of the city that need to be better patrolled and better lit. But poorly designed outdoor lighting can create more problems than it solves. When it comes to the notion that people should turn on their porch lights, this can actually make pedestrians more vulnerable to attack. Fixtures that cast most of their light into the eyes of a passerby make it less likely that such an individual can see someone approaching from out of the dark. It can take up to an hour for the photoreceptors (i.e., rods) in your eyes to recover full function after being exposed to a light source that's not brighter than a lamp. There is security lighting available that actually helps prevent crime, but it’s not what’s typically installed on the side of someone’s home or even on most businesses. This is one area where city planning and investment can make a noticable and actual difference. If you can’t make any personal changes that will help you and you are still afraid to walk around the place where you live, maybe you should move.

And realize that sarcasm is sometimes funny and pointed, but sometimes it hits a little too close to the truth to be anything but grasping. Yes, you should do all those things. And stop whining.

It makes me upset that in 25 years this hasn't changed. I grew up in ABQ and my sister and I hated walking anywhere or taking the bus. It just wasn't safe. I've always been an avid runner, but my mother forbade me to run in our neighborhood (where my parents still live) I'd have to go to my highschool and run around the track.

I live in Brooklyn now, and I admit I do feel safer, but that doesn't mean it is. I'm still very careful and alert when I'm walking alone, especially at night. My partner and I started a not-for-profit called RightRides due to a series of attacks in several Brooklyn neighborhoods in the summer of 2004. We recruited volunteers to drive cars donated by a car sharing service and offer free, safe, late-night rides home for people at risk of sexual harrassment and assault.

Albuquerque could really benefit from a service like this, and I would really like to talk to some one who'd be interested in starting a RightRides chapter. ([link])

Being a loooooooongtime resident I've seen the whistling and catcalling at women. The main thing that I've observed it that it is actually part of the southwest hispanic culture.. This statement is nothing racist it's just part of the way things are. While you are downtown and seeing all of the cruisers going past just watch and really see whats going on. To some this is just a matter of courting. This is something that has probably been going on for 75 years or more and to someone who is unfamilar to this culture it may seem sexist and insulting. I believe that ABQ is no worse then any other part of the country. Sure there's cruddy neighborhoods and areas where I wouldn't be strolling about but safety is really a matter of preception. The only crime or assults that have ever happened to me was by "friends". Be aware and be cautious sure but don't build your own personal prison.

Having 4 daughters of course I do have many of the same concerns. However they have been taught that a pencil stuck in someones eye usually makes them back off if need be.

"HETTIE: You saw one article you took issue with and decided to comment." Um, it's a comment board attached to the article. Welcome to the internet.

As far as "Haven't you ever wished you didn't have to be constantly alert with a cell phone and weapon in your hand?" I actually possess neither a cell phone nor a weapon. What I do have is the common sense not to walk around parts of the city where it isn't particularly safe to be alone at night. I never said anything to you about whether you should ride or walk. I never said you HAVE to do anything. What you do or don't do is your call based on your experiences. You have chosen to live in an area where you claim to have been mugged and beaten and your family has been harassed. You choose to remain in a neighborhood where your family was present during a day time robbery. These situations are by no means your fault. Yet, I wonder why you would choose to continue living in an area where you and your family have had such frequent, negative experiences? We each have to look at choices we make and consider whether there are better ones out there.

My point was never that Jessica needs to stop advocating for change. My point is that this kind of fear-based editorial doesn't do anybody any good as it focuses on fear, rather than change. If we want to have a discussion about real solutions, let's have it. But anecdotes about how scared and victimized people feel don't do anything but engender more fear and expectations of victimization. Anyone can choose to walk, drive, bike or ride the bus. A thinking person takes into account factors of efficiency, comfort, convenience and safety when weighing her choices. How she ranks those factors has an effect on her experiences. At the end of the day, though, she has to take responsibility for those choices. I, personally, was born and raised here and I would never walk down Central under the highway overpass at night. Yeah, it's a shame that it's a choice I have to make. I'm grateful that I'm knowledgable enough to say "Wow, that's a dangerous place to walk alone at night. I think I'll get on the smelly bus or call a friend or make other arrangements that keep me safe."

If a woman feels threatened there are *real* actions she can take to improve her safety and her perception of her safety. When I laid out some of these actions, Jessica was sarcastic and dismissive. Her reply was the message of a person who would rather wallow in the distress and fear she experiences in her own city than talk about real ways to be and feel safer. That's not constructive. That's just whining.

Most of my commentaries mean to provoke discussion, if not razz government people who have control over the destiny of our city. If instead of this "whining" I made a list of (no-brainer) actions people could take to avoid victimization--1. Don't walk. Instead, get rides from people. 2. Don't walk in dark place. Oh never mind. Do walk in dark places, lest you be blinded by dangerous outside lights. 3. Use your head and tools you have available--it would be a lot less thought-provoking and a lot more annoying that any anecdotes about being solicited for sex, not to mention meaningless just like your suggestions are, Hettie. People can relate to this "whining" because it happens to so many of us. You writing it off as fear-based (and it's not, it's frustration-based) or simple complaining is an insult to those of us who have to deal with it, i.e. suck it up, all the time. And telling people to find alternatives to walking at night is assuming that the readers are fucking idiots. Why would I do that?

"You have chosen to live in an area where you claim to have been mugged and beaten and your family has been harassed...I wonder why you would choose to continue living in an area where you and your family have had such frequent, negative experiences?" ---This brings back to the underclass, or "tools you have available." Unless you have the financial power to up and move, many people are stuck in crime-ridden neighborhoods. And unless you have a car that affords you easy transportation to school or work, many of us are obligated to live in certain areas--downtown and the UNM area here. And these aren't even bad neighborhoods, relatively speaking. So, assuming we have money, where do we move? The heights? I'd rather stick a pencil in my eye.

Don't pat yourself on the back for "provoking discussion" too much, Jessica - in my experience as a former "commentary" writer, it's always the lurid, poorly thought out columns that garner the most response, not the ones that actually suggest some constructive solution to the problem at hand. If anything, in fact, this kind of urban sob story actually makes things worse. Tear down your own neighborhood, play up its "defiled storefronts," its "ugliness and despair," the danger and fear that ostensibly lurk at every turn, and yeah, maybe you score yourself some urban tough-gal points. You also discourage anyone else from going out for a walk at night, reinforce the belief among adolescent dipshits that any woman foolish enough to brave the mean, mean streets of um, EDo is likely a "freak who's up for anything" (thanks for the phrase, Levi Eleven - I'm sure the women feel better knowing you're looking out for them), and if anything, make the problem worse. And you have the nerve to belittle someone who actually suggests some ways to address the problem...ay yai yai.

Painting downtown Albuquerque as a dangerous inner-city hellhole and its middle- and upper-middle-class residents as courageous urban pioneers is an old, old tactic: it was already pretty tired back in the 1980s, when downtown ABQ really was a deserted and occasionally somewhat scary place. Those days are pretty much gone. I'm glad you're sticking up for "the underclass," but downtown is hot now, m'dear - any homeowner or renter in today's Huning Highlands could easily afford a comparable or bigger place in Rio Rancho. They *choose* to live there because they like the walkability, the nearby businesses, the easy access to reliable mass transit...in short, all the realities your article ignores in favor of painting a garish picture of urban decay straight out of "Taxi Driver." This kind of garbage doesn't solve anything, it just keeps flogging the same poor ol' dead horse - thanks for doing your part for keeping folks in their houses, off the streets, doors locked, afraid of the dark.

So, you're saying the best, most thought-out commentaries get no response, lurid bullshit does? Excuse me, but that's just not the case Mr. former "commentary" writer. Opinion pieces on topics people have opinions about get the most response.

"[Middle and upper-middle-class residents] *choose* to live there because they like the walkability, the nearby businesses, the easy access to reliable mass transit." Ha, ha, "walkability." Ha, ha. Funny joke. And anyone who calls the bus system "reliable" doesn't use the bus system. Besides, Levi is right about being able to beat the bus sometimes. I've walked from UNM to downtown without one bus passing me more times than I can count. Based on your comments, Phil, I'd guess you're somehow involved with downtown development. And that you have a car--as well as a very nice pair of rose-colored glasses.

Interesting - taking another look at the drawing it actually looks like my Uncle Glenn! However as one hand is usually holding a cigarette and the other a glass of Crown it couldn't possibly be him.

Mummy, I just walked home, and it WAS AWFUL. There were all these really nasty people who behaved as if they hadn't been brought up right ... giving me attention I didn't want. I mean, don't they realize that I should only have attention I desire and control?

Also, mummy, my rent is going up so I'm going to need another check. The homeless scum ... I mean, less-fortunate people here ... are like three blocks away from the boutique-cum-improv theater, and I think that's why business is slow. This city living thing is tough, that's for sure. It's just like South Central here, I'm so sure.

And mummy OMIGOD urine!! There is URINE on the sidewalk! Next to the ... um, less-fortunate guys ... it's soooo disgusting! I can NOT believe it!!! I so wish you didn't help me buy that loft now. I know that sounds ingrateful, but I was thinking that if enough of us moved in to the neighborhood, we could, like, make those scumbags move away!!! Or at least to some sort of halfway house or something! Ewwww!

Anyhow, I might have some better news because I've written one of my pieces where I (rather archly, if I do say so myself) remind the public servants that they have a job to do: make things the way I like them. And other people like me, too. This 'gentrification' thing is definitely trickier than I thought, and they're not holding up their end AT ALL.

I have gone and purchased a weapon so don't worry (and please don't lecture me, I sat through the training class even though the moron instructor kept splitting infinitives).

Anyhow, gotta run, the condo association is meeting tonight to see what we can do about the sound of the air brakes on the buses that stop outside the building. We're thinking of a class action suit against the City. I know you always taught me to stand up for myself, and you'd be proud.

Love,

Jessica

UUUUUuuuuuuuuuummmm.... Sorry, Phil. I wasn't paying attention. Can I borrow the vid? Apparently you see the world as a Taxi Driver- No Taxi Driver opinion and I'm not hip to your point of view. However I did listen to Jodie Foster's Army in the day. Either way you got me on that reply!!!

Psssssssst...WaZo WaZo WaZO...spread the word...

It is dangerous walking through "EdO" or whatever it's called. I hate walking underneath the railroad tracks and avoiding the piss puddles. It never feels safe from downtown to basically the I-25 corridor. I can't imagine what a woman must feel walking this path at night. I wouldn't recommend it.

The bus schedules ARE more like ideas than reality. Last year seemed to be a bit better. This year, not so much.

The idea that writing a commentary about the problem with walking around downtown ABQ somehow spreads misinformation about rape (such as the lady from the rape crisis center inferred) is pretty far reaching. That seems to come out of left field and has me scratching my head.

There is a problem here and I'm glad it's been addressed. There needs to be more cops on duty around there.

Beach Blanket Bong Out!

I had that JFA 7"

They need an edit button on here

Most discussion threads don't allow editing for good reason ... think about it. While editing would be nice for the occasional misspelling or mistake, it would also allow people to alter history. Just highlight the old text, copy, delete and re-post.

To quote a comment I wrote days ago, answering this same accusation: "In the article I talk about the plentiful Central hookers who do solicit sexual attention, but never suggest they deserve to be assaulted. Where you allege that I suggest sexual attention is somehow deserved, I mean to squash that very idea. I knew that if I didn't make that clear, many would write off the whole column, assuming I was doing something "sexy" and therefore deserved harassment."

Also notice the quotation marks around the word sexy. These were meant to denote that this is a word I don't normally use in that context. Perhaps that device was too opaque. Anyway, the idea of feeling flattered by the hecklings of some shy "dweeb" is all wrong because this behavior has nothing to do with shyness on the part of the heckler, or attractiveness on the part of the heckle-ee. It happens to all women who walk and, apparently, men too. This isn't positive attention. It's one person making a gesture of dominance over another person.

Furthermore Latta, I'm fairly positive that women in our city do have the freedom to dress any way they want, but to quote Marisa: "And though no one ever deserves to be harassed or assaulted, it's true that if you're walking around in a skimpy outfit, people are more likely to yell at you."

And back to the call for solutions....the main point of the article was to call attention to the problem. Solution-finding usually happens after becoming aware that one is required. However, I did suggest a need for bike cops and better lighting [an idea that some (absurdly) found absurd]. Others have mentioned things like learning self-defense and always calling the cops when experiencing crime (this is something I do, and I should have mentioned it in the article--at the very least it helps to attain more accurate statistics). And, of course, the buses should cover more of the city and run later, much later, and taxis should be less of a rip-off. $10 for a ride up Central from 7th Street to Washington, or $20 from downtown to the airport is just ridiculous. In other cities you can get much farther for less.

Also, science should develop a manners gun. Pedestrians could shoot jerks, but instead of killing them, they make them civilized and kind. The ads would say things like, --Turn 'Hey girl, woo!' into 'How do you do?' Fucking thugs would suddenly become gentlemen. That would be so rad...

'Yelling "wooo!" out the window is a "gesture of dominance?"'

I was thinking about that last week, here's what I think "wooo!" means: "Ha ha! I can be rude to you without any consequences to myself, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it. Nyah nyah!"

It's asymmetric power. Yeah, that's dominance.

'I think you'd have to be an incredibly fucked-up wussy to get a power trip from a drive-by "wooooing."'

A fucked up wussy can still ruin your day. Build a sand castle and walk away for a few seconds, and I'll show you.

I thought it was "hey," but it's "wooo."

I've been burglarized more in my blue-hair neighborhood than I ever was in the middle of shitville. The bad guys know where the loot is. They got my truck. At least they haven't been in my house yet. It makes me so mad - they should be able to tell that I'm the poorest guy on the block! Why mess with me?

It's because it's still on the right-hand column. Mocking me, like, "hey, I'm still here!"