Actress Brie Larson complained on Twitter Thursday that a Transportation Security Administration agent asked for her number after she smiled at the agent.
“To live life as a woman is to live life on the defense,” Larson tweeted.
I merely smiled at a TSA agent and he asked for my phone number. To live life as a woman is to live life on the defense.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Some of Larson’s followers thought the complaint made no sense.
“OH NO! A guy asked for your number,” a follower wrote. “You poor thing. Women be complaining they don’t find a good guy, but complain when dudes ask for their [number].”
And ur hundreds of miles away? Makes no sense. The fact he gave it a shot should be applauded. At least he had the guts to show interest.2/2
— Riley (@RileyStarship) October 6, 2017
Larson responded by saying the situation made her uncomfortable. “You do realize you’re blaming me for a situation I did not ask to be in?”
You do realize you’re blaming me for a situation I did not ask to be in? A situation that made me uncomfortable?
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 6, 2017
I hope you take the time to learn more about the experiences of women. It’s real + scary sometimes and people like you can make it better
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 6, 2017
What you are saying is “I was asking for it” – a phrase that has disregarded a females experience for….the whole time.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
I’m talking about a man who works in security. I was walking through security. It’s inappropriate.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Yes. When I’m a person going through security, and the other is an employee of said security. It’s inappropriate.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Not everyone, however, was upset at the flirting.
This is why we must bond and create a network that cannot be stopped.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 6, 2017
Larson, a vocal liberal activist, won an Oscar in 2016 for her role in the movie “Room.”
She continued to stand her ground, insisting she was standing up for all women. She then told her followers on how to respond when someone makes a claim such as hers.
As always, I stand with the brave survivors of sexual assault and harassment. It’s not your fault. I believe you.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
My recent tweets were an invitation to hear my experience as a woman. Are you up to learning something that may challenge your current view?
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
First step: listen. I don’t need you explain why my experience is invalid. I need you to listen because I am not a liar and I have a soul.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Second: ask questions. If you don’t understand, believe in us enough to learn more. This can be challenging if our perspectives differ.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Third: speak from a place of love. Remember that we are (hopefully) just trying to make the world a safer place for all.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Fourth: social media can broaden your world view. It can bring us together to learn. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow in unexpected ways
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Screen capture of Brie Larson’s tweet (from Twitter)