This put such a big smile on my face. Men walking in women’s shoes for a mile chanting, “stop rape now.” I am into it.
via LAist.
Thanks to Jason for the link.
Walk a mile in her shoes.
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24 Comments
Ahh cool =)
Yeah, I think that might be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
That’s a beautiful sight. And what a wonderful cause. I should tell my boyfriend about that, maybe he’d put on some heels for a day.
*not to mention, men have beautiful legs.
That’s the most awesome thing I will hear all day –
nay, this week. On top of everything else, men just never realize how much spiked heals hurt.
Awesome. I would love to have one of these events in my neck of the woods.
Awww, it makes me sad that my boyfriend’s huge feet (size 13) make it nearly impossible for him to ever do this. You know, if Miami ever decided to sponser an event like this. Which it probably wouldn’t. Damn.
Genny, don’t despair. Should Miami ever hold such a demonstration, just find your local friendly shoe dealer to the drag community for a pair of heels for your man! We’ve got Skyscraper Heels here.
How great! This is one of the best things I’ve seen in days.
This literally brought tears to my eyes. I love this idea and I love these guys for doing it. (Heaven knows /I/ sure won’t walk a mile in high heels! grin.)
Awesome.
Genny — In my neighborhood in San Francisco, it’s much easier to find a pair of 13 mens high heels than anything in girl sizes. Hooray for drag!
The gf goes into Skyscraper Heels all the time, and all I’ve ever seen there is other women. Maybe I am hopelessly naive.
That’s just friggin awesome. It takes guts to do something like that, espeacilly when society sees most men who sympathize with womens movements as gay, wimpy or ‘pussy whipped’.
That’s the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.
Hee, I’ll be sure to point the BF towards the drag queen shops should the need ever arise. It’s not like he’d be able to borrow my weensy size 6′s.
blucast you might be seeing other women there who just have big feet. It’s hard to find heels in some of the double digit sizes for women.
Just noticed a few of the guys in heels have socks on too. 1. Little bit tacky 2. I hope they didn’t get horrible blisters.
Firstly, I give major props to any man who is willing to step up and start talking about rape — it’s long overdue. Women will never be able to stop sexual violence without male allies.
But, this concept of “walk a mile in her shoes” seems a little backwards to me. Walking a mile in my shoes? Teva sandles or sneakers, or flip flops. This idea that men can walk a mile in heels and know what women’s experience a pretty shallow analysis of women’s experience, and highlights the sexism that underlies sexual violence. And even if we framed it as merely a stunt to get publicity, why are men walking in heels that remarkable? Why is transgressing a gender norm seen as standing in solidarity with women?
I notice that for myself, I am so excited any time I see or hear a man talking about men’s responsiblity in ending sexual violence I cut these men more slack than I would if a woman was making the same statement. I think that we can expect men to stand up and really join us in the fight against sexism and sexual violence and that by cutting them this slack I underestimate men and their ability and desire to really combat this issue.
Ah’m wincing just thinking about walking a mile in heels.
Emily, I don’t think those men are assuming that they are exactly recreating women’s experience of being wary/downright terrified while walking at night, or insinuating that all women wear high heels. It seems to me that all they’re trying to do is make a cute, clever statement that they are on our side and will fight with us to dismantle the rape culture.
This idea that men can walk a mile in heels and know what women’s experience a pretty shallow analysis of women’s experience, and highlights the sexism that underlies sexual violence.
I don’t think that’s what’s going on here. What’s going on here, in my opinion, is that these men are subjecting themselves to one of the often-accepted and overlooked everyday painful experiences of being a woman in our culture. Sure, I don’t wear heels. But many women do, many women have to for professional reasons, and women are expected to and encouraged to in our culture, and heels hurt like a motherfucker, if you’ll pardon my language. Not every Victorian woman wore corsets either, but most did, and acknowledging the pain experienced everyday by most women that’s normalized in our culture seems to me to be right on message for an anti-violence against women march.
The fact that acknowledging that pain can be done in a memorable, eye-catching, clever, and funny way is an extra plus.
I LOVE this.
To the point where I’ve sent it along to other fellow feminists and we’re planning one here in the capital.
I LOVE this.
To the point where I’ve sent it along to other fellow feminists and we’re planning one here in the capital.
I’M certainly impressed, since I have never learned to do more than totter in heels! These guys are clearly more talented at the feminine arts than I am ;P
Adorable.
Awesome. On a somewhat related note, I saw a PSA commercial on comedy central, sponsored by the state of Maryland, that has a montage of apparently sincere men saying that men can (and should) stop rape. I nearly choked on my own spit in my amazement and joy. Then of course, an hour later, I saw five of each commercial for Girls Gone Wild and Howard Stern’s something-or-other event. *sigh*
Baby steps. Or high-heel steps, whichever.
Oddly enough, the dress shoes I wore to my senior prom (and many other events) came from the women’s section…