I’m a woman, but I’m not afraid of men. I might actually be stupid in my unwillingness to be afraid. This maybe why I don’t empathize with women who can’t say “no.” Not only have I had to say “no” to horny guys. I’ve had to yell at them and hit them to get them to stop doing things I did not want. I’ve gotten pissed at them. I’ve gotten anxious over the need to basically guard my vagina in situations where I make myself vulnerable. It just requires I stay alert. But I’m not afraid.

I walk alone by myself at night. One reason I’m not afraid is I just don’t think anything bad can happen to me that is worse than things that have already happened, and I refuse to sacrifice in the way I live my life. I know if I get attacked on the street, it won’t be my fault. Nothing about choosing to live my life freely makes any shitty behavior my fault. Then again, I’ve never been attacked by a stranger, so I don’t know what this is like. I’ll be careful within reason. I choose where I live largely based on safety factors, for example.

But I like your analogy.