Not shocked by the Eid sex mob

I was reading other blogs and comments made about the Eid sexual attacks by the mobs in downtown area, and I feel I have to post on this issue. I am not at all shocked by what happened. This kind of behavior is nothing new at all in Egypt, as any woman can tell you. Most men here are involved in some kind of sexual harassment of women, whether it's "harmless" car beeps and comments or outright sexual assault. And we all know about the psychology of mob mentality, how it brings out the worst in people, so why are we surprised at what happened? Outraged, obviously, but surprised?

What can you really expect to happen these days when every sexual crime appears to go unpunished? Millions of Egyptian men are sexually harassing women on a daily basis. This is nothing new at all. Why are we not outraged at that? That is the bigger truth of the matter.

You know, since I've come to Egypt I have changed. I used to be somewhat unaware of my surroundings, but now?? I am so hypersensitive, I know who is around me and how far away they are. I notice someone on the other side of the street. I am constantly calculating the best way to pass, not because I want to avoid puddles or garbage or other obstacles. But to avoid any man coming into my 2 meter radius. I do not care if it appears rude or paranoid. I dont care if it offends anyone. I see a man coming and I move out of their way. I am sure any other woman living in Egypt knows what I'm talking about.

I don't think anyone can explain what it feels like if you haven't experienced it. The gross, perverted stares by almost every man in the street, or balcony or car. The filthy, lust-filled comments from countless beady-eyed men. The men who grab you when you walk by. The men who "bump" into you by "accident". (How many accidents could there really be? I will tell you. Almost as many as there are men walking by, that's how many.)

Every time I am stuck having to walk too close to a passing man, especially group of men, my heart starts hammering, adrenalin pumping, ready for anything to happen. And happen it does, and has, and will continue to do.

I have been stalked and grabbed, I have been threatened, men have opened their pants at me, in FRONT ON MY DAUGHTER. Countless men have tried to pick me up, many have followed me home, many have masturbated while following me. Many have grabbed my butt. Boys on bicycles have tried to intimidate me. Boys have even thrown rocks at me. Taxis have tried to abduct me (I jumped out when they stopped at the intersection). Men prank callers harass me when they realize its a female answering the phone. Men honk and stop their cars in front of me and then wonder why I don't get in with them. They even tried to do this when I was eight months pregnant. One man grabbed me from the back by the neck and started feeling me and trying to kiss my mouth. I elbowed him in the neck and ran away. Other men stop their cars, get out and start masturbating in my path. This was done in front of my daughter once as well. Nevermind the everyday nasty comments they say. This is so commonplace that no one even thinks to mention it anymore. This is not even in "bad" areas. No, this happens everywhere. Most of these incidents happened in Sheraton area of Heliopolis. But it can happen anywhere.

And lets not forget the men in the internet cafes, gathering around late at night, 3 or 4 to a computer to sit and watch porn. They fill their heads with this stuff, until it consumes them and that seems to be all the think about.

I am NOT saying every Egyptian man does this. I am not generalizing here. There ARE decent men around, and I have come across a few. But I am saying that the majority have something seriously wrong with them when it comes to this issue. This is my experience. This is all my friends' experience. This is veiled womens' experience. This is Egyptian women's experience. This is why I am not shocked by what happened. But I continue to be outraged. I continue to feel incensed. And I continue to believe that it can change. I am ever a hopeful person. Otherwise how could I continue to endure what I endure every day?