Blog of the Week: Holla Back New York City

Every Tuesday TNG's Allison will feature a blog that has made surfing the internet more substantive and worthwhile. This week, TNG gives a big shout out to Holla Back New York City.

While walking to Target in Columbia Heights, I saw a man waiting at the bus stop. He smiled at me, I smiled back and kept walking. A few seconds later this guy started hissing at me and making kissing noises. This lasted a few minutes. He sounded like a squirrel on crack. Unfortunately, women of all metropolitan areas are familiar with variations of this weird mating ritual. Sure, these experiences can be funny, even flattering at times. But sometimes a girl just wants to go to Target and shop for a $10 cardigan in peace.

Founders of the blog Holla Back NYC understand the fine line between an annoying street gawker and someone who makes pedestrians feel offended or unsafe. TNG has featured many articles about our experiences with street harassment in the District, and our own discomfort with it on many occasions. Holla Back NYC interconnects the humor of these common stories with a larger mission; "building communities where everyone feels comfortable, safe and respected. " This site and its network gives men and women the tools to end racism, harassment and homophobia, while giving people the tools to act safe in their city.

Check out Holla Back NYC's slightly-less-thrilling-but-equally-as-important DC network.