So You Think You're Too Good for SNL Cast Member Michael Che's Catcalls, Ladies?

Categories: Bad Ideas

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Laura June Kirsch
Michael Che, photographed for the Voice in June.
Update: Thursday, October 30: Michael Che deleted the Instagram photos without any explanation. Before that though, he tweeted:

Original post: Ladies, do we really have to go over this again? Catcalls are flattering! The latest defense of street harassment comes not from the New York Post (where we would expect it) but from comedian Michael Che, late of The Daily Show, now the co-host of SNL's "Weekend Update," and recent Village Voice cover model.

Here's what Che had to say Wednesday on Instagram:

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We can only assume the video he means is the one that went viral yesterday, of a woman (a sexual-assault survivor, no less!) being catcalled 108 times in the course of 10 hours walking around New York City.

See also: Hidden-Camera Actress Who Was the Subject of Catcalls Is a Sexual-Assault Survivor

Che is apparently not impressed by the volume of harassment actress Shoshana Roberts endured; the more than a hundred men leering at her, calling out to her, or, even more creepily, walking in step with her for more than five minutes -- silently -- was not enough to convince him that this is a threatening, or even just unpleasant, experience.

What do you need, Michael Che? You need some statistics? OK, here:

According to the CDC "non-contact unwanted sexual experiences," including street harassment, are the most prevalent form of sexual violence for both men and women in the United States. Internationally, studies show that between 70-99% of women experience street harassment at some point during their lives...The long-term impacts include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as a reduced sense of safety that can limit earnings, decrease mobility, and interrupt their ability to fully engage with civic life.

More research on the harmful effects of catcalling, where that (and the original video) came from, Hollaback.

We'll say this one more time, and hopefully never have to say it again: Catcalling is not flattering -- it's uncomfortable. It's gross. It's violating. And IT WILL NEVER GET YOU A DATE.

The first post was followed quickly by a second:

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Thanks, I guess, for the patronizing non-apology for your previous, also patronizing faux-apology?

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119 comments
Josh Kohler
Josh Kohler

It was hardly a defense. For fucks sake.

Joe Honaker
Joe Honaker

You people are racist for attacking Michael Che over this. He saw the same video I watched and made a correct assessment. Most of those "harassing catcalls" were nothing more than polite "Hello" and "how are you doing?". She dressed up in tight push up jeans that accentuate her backside then walked around NY city for 10 hours and that video was the worst she got? I say pin a medal on the construction workers of NY for restraint and growing up. You racists wanna attack him and he has to apologize and that's the real tragedy. Shame on you people!

Ginger Jones
Ginger Jones

no, she's comparing sexual harassment to sexual harassment. the homophobia comes from the reaction, not the action. so not ignorant, completely appropriate.

Sam Hawk
Sam Hawk

Hum no, you just have not evolved into a decent human male yet, so you dont see it or understand it.

Tangelo Uchiha
Tangelo Uchiha

You're comparing unwanted attention to homophobia. So ignorant.

Bill Ketchem
Bill Ketchem

Who cares? You go out to video catcalls and you get what you want and still complain.

chitox
chitox

Where is this video of someone being catcalled 108 times? Everyone's talking about it and I can't find it anywhere. All I can find is a video of a woman being catcalled around 20 times. 

martin2110
martin2110

Catcalling will never get you a date?

Of course it will. I have seen it happen many times. I wouldn't ever do it, but I have seen dudes do it and seen it work. Some women like it. You can't just make that not true.

Michael Horton
Michael Horton

It seems like most haven't even read his instagram comment. He's communicating that from his perspective, as a national celebrity, he's harassed on the street in a far more obtrusive way than the woman in the "catcall" video. I think many are completely missing this point and are unable to grasp his perspective, just like many men are unable to grasp the perspective of women getting "catcalled" when being in public. The internet mob mentality is in full effect once again.

barrackosamabama
barrackosamabama

To be honest, some women love it, they look forward to getting noticed and getting attention from men. Not all, of course. Those that do, dress more provocatively than others, strut their stuff more, perhaps. Not that it's a wrong thing, but don't complain when you get what you asked for. Men will comment, catcall, make lewd gestures IF you dress inappropriately - that's just part of the male psyche, which has been much written about and explained from a biological standpoint. We don't want to argue that.


What I think is worth noting here is Michael Che was making a valid point and being funny about it. Why get all worked up about it? Yes, some men take it too far by saying / doing something really obscene and getting physical or worse, causing injury. But for the most part, if it's just "Hey, Beautiful," or, "Have a nice day", it's okay. 


That's just my take on this.

Sid Weiss
Sid Weiss

IF u had a daughter would you want her dealing with these cat calls men??? i know i wouldn't. its rude

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