Walk a Mile in Her Shoes -- The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence has come to the Asheville area. And while the intent is excellent, somehow the idea of men staggering along in high heels seems to me to send a mixed message.
What kind of fool would subject her feet to these things?
I won't even mention the hairdo.
12 comments:
I think men walking in high heels gives a bit of an aura of triviality to what they're trying to do, but I guess it goes along with the "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes." I do appreciate every man who gets out and walks for this cause!
As for the picture of the model and the shoes...good grief! 'Fashion victim' is the phrase that comes to mind.
hi,
just wanted to thank you for your comment on my sepia saturday post.
fashion is a funny old world, isnt it?
Hmm, no doubt a well intentioned effort, but perhaps not entirely thought through. I can seen where you're coming from.
um, some interesting shoes there...better they are doing something for women than against them, or just not even noticing...
To see those big men in those shoes is kind of a hoot, but my goodness, the shoes, and model, you pictured really make me wonder. Those styles haven't made it to east TN yet, thank goodness ... LOL!!!!!
Vicki, It's a great idea for men to walk in womens shoes with regard to abuse, etc. I'm just not sure I agree with how they are carrying out the idea. I've known an abused woman and it is a frightening thing that no one should ever have to go through. I hope more men will be standing up for stopping abuse.
There are some outrageous shoes on the market today. I can't imagine walking in them though.
Sam
What bothers me about this --I guess it's what Victoria said -- that it kind of trivializes something really important. But I understand that drawing attention to the problem is the point and they'll get a lot more press with pictures of football players in high heels than they would otherwise.
And a second thing is that, too some extent, again as Victoria said, women are the victims of these shoes -- shoes that make them at once more sexually alluring and more helpless (despite all the fictional heroines who can kick butt while wearing these high heels.
These events are all over the country and evidently growing in popularity. And of course anything that can stop this kind of abuse is welcome.
But, and this is where I'm coming from,Martin, women need to stand up for themselves too. I know, I know, sometimes it's not possible. Women, in general, are physically weaker than men. But some -- I'm thinking of those who stay in an abusive relationship for years -- just seem to have a victim mentality -- that they ARE sexual objects and they ARE powerless.
And that's what the high heels say to me. And that's why they seem a weird choice for this march.
Opinions may vary.
I think it's done with a good motive, and as someone said, the visual of men walking in high heels has to draw in more attention and media. That said, I agree with what you are saying as well. I always figured high heels and panty hose were invented by men! ha. For all that many women claim to be liberated, in control, powerful etc etc., they still subject themselves as weak, inferior 'eye candy' sex objects way to often. It's ALL over the media--t.v. shows, books even, ads, whatever. If you aren't 'just so' you aren't a 'real woman'. In the same media, men can be vulgar slobs and still be admired. Anyhoo. Not really where you were going with this post, but it bothers me allot to see how much emphasis we place on looks and fashion. (And those shoes are horrifying, not to mention the dress...and what's up with the hair on that gal??) ;-)
Have a good one!
Tammy
Like you I am not sure what men will learn from wearing women's shoes. But bringing the subject out and into the lives of men, even in such a trivial way, must be a good thing. If it is talked about, it might get through and into men's heads.
Those shoes and clothes, they are works of art rather than items of apparel.
Vicki
I could not agree with you more -- my undergraduate degree was part in Domestic Violence Against Women and Children and it is disturbing how they are trivializing it-- and I volunteered as a woman's advocacy in the courts for a short time. It is insidious behavior in our society and actually globally and growing. The whole campaign with the shoes is definitely sending the wrong
message. It seems to be reinforcing the whole notion of victim hood in the first place.
Have a good week - end and enjoy the peace and serenity of your country home.
Joanny
Good grief - those are shoes?! And to think I wept when my 6 year old wanted a pair of Doc Marten's! Aren't we in a muddle about women?
Those shoes look like torture devices to me : )
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