Reading Between the Lines

Tanneries in the middle of the Fez medina

Camel anyone?

Walking in the medinas of Morocco can be intimidating for young foreign women. I have heard many things shouted at me from leering men and have been followed. This is a common type of harassment in the old cities. Some less crude lines include "spicy", "Shakira", the classic "hey", and my favorite "how many camels?". I was even dressed modestly while receiving all these comments. I find humor in some of these when I rethink about it but overall when I'm in this situation or when the harassment is more crude it can be extremely intimidating.  When my friends and I were accompanied by our guy friends the harassment was significantly less than when it was just a group of girls. This harassment has been very difficult for me, but thankfully it is off campus where this usually happens.

Shops are closed but a medina street view

Interestingly enough I took a trip to Fez with the Interfaith club. We were required to dress traditionally because we were going to the mosque to see the Imam. Fez is the city where I have received the most harassment, yet this time I was complimented by many people. Instead of leering and insulting I received praise? I was so confused. Previously I thought that if I were to wear traditional dress I would be seen as insulting their culture, however it was the opposite. I believe that this is because there is still a hostility between traditional Moroccans and Westerners. To Moroccans dressing in a traditional religious fashion is showing the highest respect to anyone I saw. Whereas wearing my modest western clothes and walking through the medina like I deserve respect is a completely different thing; and a thing that I did expect to receive as a human.

I have never lived in a society where I felt genuinely fearful of walking alone. It opens my eyes to find out how blessed I am to live somewhere I can feel safe in the US. Although the States is not perfect in comparison to the objectification I have experienced by catcalling in Morocco is not comparable. It makes me realize how well off I really am in our society as a female.