a small thought about why cosplay harassment is taken VERY seriously

This recent Daily Show segment
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/z2b627/the-fault-in-our-schools
reminded me of this: 
http://pilgrim--soul.tumblr.com/post/37148809218/okay-so-heres-why-girls-dont-get-flattered-when

I feel like the fact that most women have been taught everyday, since we were very young, to be always vigilant, always afraid, is something we've become so accustomed to that we forget it underlines all our thoughts.  It's hard to articulate, because it's become so natural, it's our blind spot, that now rules our subconscious.  So when we cosplay and get indignant about harassment, it isn't just that our moms have imbued us with paranoia, because, considering all the violent news reports and shame heaped on us if we do become victimized, it can actually become very real for us at any time.  We walk around in cosplay to be a character we love, not to be treated as something not a real human being.  Crossing that boundary isn't just a joke, when it can turn very serious at any moment we let our guards down. Cosplay isn't an invitation to make us feel threatened.  Someone may say our boundaries are too sensitive when a "joke" is taken this seriously, but considering all the news and personal accounts from friends, an escalation of danger is always very real for us.  Such caution should be regarded similarly to how political correctness is a consideration we always respect for others, regardless of whether we understand or agree that something is offensive; just knowing the other person is not okay with such a thing is enough reason to refrain.  It is especially serious, when we go to a convention to have fun, be friendly and polite to people who want photos, or in other words, drop our guards.  We hesitate to suddenly turn defensive against possible threats, and even doubt and disbelieve our perception that someone is being threatening.  I mean, aren't we all at the con to be friendly?  Male friends, when we tell you about a creeper, we may not need you to tell him off for us, so much as we need affirmation that we have a right to be angry and are permitted to shout back at them ourselves.  Many people cosplay to cons to make friends.  But when it becomes a magnet for harassment, is cosplay just supposed to stop?  No.  No one should give up cosplay, fun, or making friends.  This is why we laser-in on solving the harassment problem.  So we can preserve cosplay and keep the open, all-accepting, geek atmosphere of a convention.