Imagine, for a moment, walking in NYC, minding your business, and enjoying your day when suddenly, someone you’ve never met before randomly punches you. It’s a scenario that sounds wild and unlikely, right? Unfortunately, this has been the harsh reality for numerous women who have bravely come forward to share their stories on social media.
This entire situation is not just terrifying, but it’s also a wake-up call. The fact that it’s happening in another city, this time in Chicago, is a chilling reminder that this could happen anywhere in the country. I’m not trying to scare anyone, but it’s crucial for people, especially women in big cities, to be alert and aware of their surroundings at all times. This has happened in two cities already. Who knows where it might happen next?
What I find most frustrating is the lack of coverage this has received.
Don’t get me wrong: This situation has been somewhat covered back in NYC and Chicago on local TV channels. That’s all great, but let’s be honest: If it were a mass shooting, the news about this bone-chilling event would be broadcast nationwide. But since it’s not, people barely know about it. In fact, unless you are a frequent TikTok user, you won’t know this is even happening. I’m sure people will be livid once the rest of the US population finds out. But for now, it’s not being covered, and it’s bad. By not giving this situation the proper coverage, we are diminishing the experiences of the women who have been attacked. We are essentially saying that what they’ve been through doesn’t mean a damn thing.
That is a big problem that all major news outlets need to address.
Plus, we as a society need to pay attention to what isn’t shown and bring it to everyone’s attention ourselves. That way, we’re holding each other accountable for our actions, good or bad. We need to ensure that the news outlets report on everything, not just what they deem as important. All people and victims deserve to have their stories and voices heard. Their stories and experiences matter.
Featured image via Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash
