There was a popular british subreddit thread the other day with the unsurprising "what about the menz" title:

I, a physically fit and situationally aware male, also do not feel safe walking the streets at night, running in the dark and I have sent texts when I got to my destination.

To those who don't know, this is a reference to horrifying recent events:

On the evening of 3 March 2021, 33-year-old marketing executive Sarah Everard disappeared in South London. On 9 March, 48-year old Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens was arrested firstly on suspicion of Everard's kidnapping and later on suspicion of murder.

The tragic murder of Sarah Everard has triggered a huge discussion in Great Britain.

The surprising thing about the thread was the top comments. Men and women called him out.

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If a man gets mugged on his way home, no one says well you shouldn’t have been out alone. What were you wearing. Did you smile at the mugger. Did you invite it. Are you sure you don’t know him.

That’s the difference.

and

I am a physically fit and situationally aware 6’2 220 pound black male. In American society, I am unfortunately what many fear when walking down the streets at night. For that reason I know most people will actively avoid me. I always feel safe when walking around at anytime of day.

I don’t imagine I’d feel anywhere near as safe if I was little yoga pants walking around at 5’1. Like come on dude? How can you lack this much self awareness?

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I'm so grateful to everyone who made those comments and those who upvoted them. The change we want to see in the world always has to take place at an individual level first.