The short documentary 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman is available to watch at theย top of the page.
A woman walks alone through the bustling streets of New York. She’s captured on a hidden camera, walking and ignoring unsolicited comments and catcalls from men she passes by. The short documentary, 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman, provides a direct and unsettling look into the daily experiences of countless women in public spaces. This viral video was created by Rob Bliss, a renowned director and content creator known for his thought-provoking social experiments.
10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman showcases a summary (lasting one and a half minutes) of ten hours during which actress Shoshana Roberts walks the streets of New York dressed in a short black shirt and long black pants. She walks at a relatively fast pace, silently, with a neutral expression, not diverting her gaze. Bliss walks a few meters ahead of her with a hidden GoPro camera in his backpack.
Roberts’ neutral presence starkly contrasts with the behavior of the men around her: they try in every way to get her attention, passing by her, and catcalling her. Some comments seem innocuous, like “Good morning,” while others make sexually suggestive remarks and intrusive questions like “Where are you going?” and “Can I talk to you?”. In one instance, a man walks alongside her for several minutes, persistently trying to engage her in conversation despite her clear disinterest.
The video documented 108 instances of harassment. As the video progresses, viewers can increasingly feel Roberts’ discomfort, empathizing with her and realizing that such events are not isolated but common experiences for many women worldwide.
Rob Bliss is a unique content creator with a bold approach to addressing prevalent social issues. Whether he’s addressing gender-based harassment in New York City or documenting prejudiced views on racial backgrounds in Arkansas, his works transcend typical viral videos. They reflect social injustices and highlight the disturbing realities lurking beneath the surface.
Sexual harassment in public spaces is not new. Many women experience it daily from a young age, yet it’s often overlooked and normalized. For many women and girls, comments and harassment in public spaces are perceived as threats, inducing fear. Many men, unaware of the extent of the issue, don’t understand why women are so disturbed by such comments. Some even perceive them as compliments, thinking it’s not a real problem and that women can simply ignore those addressing them.
Sexual harassment towards women in public spaces is a social issue rooted in gender inequality. Women often endure it silently, fearing a violent reaction from the harassing men. Bliss’s video directly and clearly showcases the extent of the issue, forcing viewers to experience, even if momentarily, the discomfort women like Roberts face in the video.
The video 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman stood out in the media, garnering 30 million views on YouTube within just five days of its release eight years ago. (Currently, it has over 50 million views.) The viral film sparked debates and introspection and is considered one of the most influential social experiments of our time.
Bliss’s commitment to social justice is evident in all his works. His short online videos document social experiments he initiates in public spaces, reflecting the biases and injustices in our world. For instance, in 2020, he traveled to Harrison, Arkansas, where the Ku Klux Klan’s headquarters is located, to document reactions to a sign he held reading “BLM” (Black Lives Matter). Positioned by the roadside, he documented harsh reactions, insults, and threats from passersby using a GoPro camera. Like his previous works, this experimental project aimed to expose the racism still prevalent in the U.S.
Historically, social experiments have played a pivotal role in understanding human behavior, social norms, and inherent biases. One of the most famous is the “Stanford Prison Experiment” conducted by psychologist Dr. Philip Zimbardo in 1971. During the experiment, he examined the psychological effects of power dynamics and the potential for violence and cruelty in individuals placed in positions of authority.
Another significant experiment was the “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise by teacher Jane Elliott, conducted a day after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Intended as a lesson on racism for third-graders, Elliott divided her students based on eye color, giving privileges to those with blue eyes. As a result, these students exhibited cruelty towards their brown-eyed peers. Later, Elliott reversed the roles, producing identical results.
Another pivotal study was the “Milgram Experiment,” conducted by psychologist Stanley Milgram from Yale University in 1962. During the experiment, participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to another person, testing their obedience to authority figures even when performing actions contrary to their morals.
These social experiments, like Rob Bliss’s works, not only provided insights into human behavior but also sparked extensive debates. These discussions led to increased awareness of the raised issues and significant societal changes.
Bliss’s works exemplify the power of using social media ethically and creatively to raise awareness and effect positive social change. Through his creations, Bliss encourages us to confront our prejudices, engage in constructive dialogue, and advocate for a more inclusive and fair society.
The short documentary 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman is available to watch at theย top of the page.
