What ‘Good Cause’ Has These Men Wearing High Heels?
- Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:43am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A few dozen men seeking to raise awareness for sexual assault violence against women tried to walk a mile in their shoes Friday – literally.
Among the participants – some burly and others bearded – in the fourth annual “Walk a Mile in her Shoes” event at the University of Alaska Anchorage was the head of Alaska State Troopers, Col. Keith Mallard, who slipped out of one of his red suede peep-toe shoes during the walk.
“I had a blowout,” Mallard said sheepishly. “It didn’t hinder my progress any. I just had to pull to the side and get a tire change.”
The men teetered precariously along the mile-long route, trying to raise money for a local nonprofit that supports sexual assault victims. Donations to Standing Together Against Rape will go toward banishing sexual assaults and other acts of violence against women.
The men were game, even if it meant nearly tripping over their own stilettos.
Vashon Hilliard, whose work involves helping the disabled, stuffed his feet into a colleague’s black patent leather pumps. The shoes were a snug fit, but Hilliard didn’t let that stop him.
“I just decided it’s for a great cause, and why not?” he said.
“Men want to make a public statement that they detest sexual violence,” said Keeley Olson, STAR’s program manager. “A lot of them have told me that they walk for their sisters, they walk for their mothers, they walk for their daughters. They walk because they care about women.”
Amusement factor aside, the underlying message was serious. Signs with messages including “No Means No!”, “Got Consent???”, “Shatter the Silence,“ and ”Alaskans Can End Sexual Violence” bobbed along in the hands of participants.
Walt Monegan, former head of the state troopers, participated in what he said people were calling old lady shoes. “I’m old, so it’s OK,” he said.
Monegan, who now heads the Alaska Native Justice Center, said he was taking part because the issues of sexual assault need to be highlighted.
“Sexual assault for some folks is still kind of a sensitive, dark issue,” he said. “By bringing this in a humorous light, it eases the acceptance and discussion of it. So, any way we can bring it to the surface is a good thing.”
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Comments (83)
MustComment
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 11:23am“A few dozen men seeking to raise awareness for sexual assault violence against women…”
Burning the Koran would be more “effective”…
Report Post »Itchee Dryback
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 11:05amI wonder what percentage of those men are doing it to butter up the women and make them more receptive? ..and no…the percentage is probably not zero.
Report Post »Just sayin’
harumph
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 10:42amSo… this is a new problem? And… wearing women’s clothes will help, how?
Report Post »Looks like these guys just wanted to be noticed. [Harumph starts singing 'I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK..']
Keystone Jack
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:55amSome of those guys look a little too comfy… Just sayin…. Oh and TRUELIBERAL…, LIGHTEN UP ALREADY!!!
Report Post »TrueLiberal
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:43amYou “men” whining and complaining about “gayness, moral degradation, pussification and cross-dressing should be ashamed. These men, notice the absence of quotation marks, did nothing more or less than wear heels for one mile to try to make the women in their lives a little happier. What the hell is sooooooo horrible about that? Did it make a big change in the lives of women? No. So… Did it hurt anyone? No. So… Was your life adversely affected in any way? No. Some guys got together and put on a stupid stunt, because none of us really mature past the age of 14 so my girlfriend tells me, and put smiles on the faces of the women they love. Some of these women in question hurt by “men”, notice the quotes, who are so weak the can’t take NO for an answer. It never fails to amaze me how people who say they want government to leave them alone suddenly loose that principle when confronted by something they personally don’t like. Hypocrites.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 10:00amNo healthy women should need a man to dress like a womn to “feel happier”. How about doing something “manly” to make them feel better? How about showing that being a man includes protecting and honoring women and that THAT can be done AS a man, not as a cross dresser?
Report Post »TrueLiberal
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 11:09amKJ and HARUMPH, I have no problem with the joke aspect of the stunt. I actually think it’s pretty funny, if a little childish. (see original post about my GF‘s assessment of guy’s maturity) Yes, they do look a little too comfy and no, probably won’t greatly help anything. (other than brightening the day of a lady one cares about, my GF included who thought the story was funny) So why all the angst about the sexuality of these men. As ISFDN wrote, “How about doing something ‘manly’ to make them feel better?”. I believe the “manliness” happened later that night for most of the participants. But I’m sure that is beyond the comprehension of a person demanding a woman be “healthy” and accept kindness only if it be done “AS a man, not as a cross dresser”. If a woman wants me to walk a mile in heels to make her feel better (and so she can laugh at me) my sexual identity is not threatened one iota. But, one would need to be secure in themselves before they get to that point.
Report Post »harumph
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 11:55amTrulib,
Report Post »There are better ways to show your support to women surrounding this problem. Wearing pumps just doesn’t give the right message, IMO. I’m secure in my masculinity, so I have no problem with wearing them. However, one of the reasons why those shoes were created was to make women look more desirable. So…
Islesfordian
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 2:33pmTrueliberal,
you are well named. A woman who wants a man to dress up as a man so she can “feel happy” is not really going to BE happy because she is focussing on irrelevancy. If she wanted you to bark like a dog would you do it, just because she THOUGHT it would make her happy? Being wise and caring means knowing what will help and knowing what is just perpetuating the wrong attitude.
But leave it to a liberal who to think that patronizing women in pain is the “compassionate” approach.
I suppose if she said she wanted to get stoned you would score a reefer for her.
Report Post »TrueLiberal
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:30pmHARUMPH.
Report Post »Touche’, point taken.
ilovethiscountry
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:17pm@ truelib This is worse than riding a bicycle 150 miles for leukemia and lymphoma or some other illness? I don’t see how. There were times in history when “real men” wore heals.As past victum. I think they are rather cute.
Report Post »sickoftalking
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:40pm“It never fails to amaze me how people who say they want government to leave them alone suddenly loose that principle when confronted by something they personally don’t like. Hypocrites.”
This is exactly the problem with a lot of discussions today. You give your honest opinion and say you think something is stupid, and immediately someone jumps on you and accuses you of wanting to use the government to stop it, even if no such thing was implied anywhere in what you said. You’re made into some type of bully or monster. Relax — nobody is saying these men should be put jail — put your gun back in its holster.
I have no idea why I’d walk a mile in high heels to prove something to a woman, since I’ve never asked any woman to wear high heels for me. I think women look good without makeup, they put too much emphasis on their weight, and I think flats look cool. I find that most guys think the same way. And considering that the few guys that really care about those things are the ones that are likely to commit sexual assaults anyway, women should do themselves a favor — stop blaming men for them torturing themselves, when it’s their choice to try to appeal to the wrong type of guys, the guys who care about those things.
So, I would choose not to wear the heels to make a statement of my own — blaming men for women wearing heels is degrading towards men. And men wearing heels to prove something to women, is them proving something they shouldn’t have to prove.
Report Post »TrueLiberal
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 11:43pmLOVETHISCOUNTRY, I agree completely.
SICKOFTALKING, I think you miss my point, many people on this story complained about men being pussified, cross-dressers, morally degraded or gay. I was drawing a parallel. People who call themselves conservative generally wish to be left to their own choices. Yet when a story, of little import or impact on their lives, is posted, the moralists come out of the woodwork decrying the decline of America. If someone does what they want to do and you are not affected, why should you care? Live and let live. Mind your business is the slogan on the coins minted by Ben Franklin early in the nation, or did you not listen to Beck today?
Report Post »sickoftalking
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 1:48pmYou should be able speak honestly without someone accusing you of doing something wrong, the question of why you should care shouldn’t come up at all.
First, and most obviously, just because in a free society it should be your right to give your opinion.
But more importantly, because having an honest conversation about these issues is beneficial, it lets people be more honest with themselves as well. For instance, I think it was beneficial in the 60s when we started having open discussions about sexuality, that got rid of a lot of the repression in our society that damaged people emotionally by allowing people to feel free to examine their own emotions. But its equally beneficial to talk about whats appropriate or inappropriate or about whats stupid or silly or about morality and moral boundaries
In this case, I think what we need to look at is why the men are doing this. I think its obvious that the idea behind the gimmick is that what drives men to commit sexual violence is the fact that women are made into sexual objects by society, asked to wear makeup and high heels, and that type of thing. If these men are doing it to please their wives; its for the same purpose. Their wives complain about having to do things like wear high heels, and think its funny that their husbands have to endure the same thing and look silly doing it.
If we’re to talk about women being treated like sexual objects, though, we have to look at why women are made to do things like wear high heels, etc. Is it because men ask them to? Or is it something they do for themselves?
Do the men who are participating in this feel like they owe something to women for what women go through? If so, why? Are they right?Shouldn’t they examine that?
I know I might look like I’m taking this too seriously, its something done all in good fun by the people involved, but I want people to look at the idea behind the event. I’d refuse to participate, personally, because I find the idea behind it a little degrading.
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:37amI wonder how many actually completed the mile! I’ll bet there were lots of blisters!
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:35amWhen you are always pushing the envelope, then you must always become more and more extreme to get the same amount of attention. What will they do next time? Go in drag?
And I don’t even want to think about what they would do the time after that!
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:33amGreat cause, lousy stunt! It damages their credibility and distracts from their message. They, instead of their message, has become the story. That’s bad publicity!
Report Post »parlayer
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:32amthe gold miners, had nothing on these guys.
Report Post »dabbo
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:31amThese guys appear to be enjoying this…….way too much.
Report Post »King_friedrich
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:30amI think I just would of donated the money and passed on the trany thing.
Report Post »Secessionwaslegal
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:18amWheew….honey, these heels are killing me —go get me a beer would you? You wouldn`t believe what that mysogynist boss said….
Report Post »TrueLiberal
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 11:15am“Yes, dear. Here you go. What did that jerk do this time…”
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:16amThe pussification of American men.
Report Post »oldeagle101
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 12:25pmThank you I agree completely….
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 1:48pmIf it was a great cause, why’d they need to wear the shoes to get donors? Wouldn’t a normal walk work?
Report Post »justme72
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:15amEven if the money does not directly go to victims…maybe by the courage and support of these men will help one more victim will find the strength to go to the police and tell her story…….then we can get more rapists off the streets and in jail where they belong
Report Post »EP46
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:00amDid I wake up in zombie land? Am I missing something? A group of men do something to bring attention to violent crime and these comments are the best you can come up with?? I applaud these guys for bringing attention to crime…Rape is a violent crime, rapists are violent criminals, some rapists are pedophiles. I think it is time the men of America stood up for victims ( both female and male) of America and around the world who are victims of rape.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:19amCause they’re gay….. Which is good for them I suppose.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:33amThis story is just sick. The only way they could raise awareness is to dress in women’s clothing? Disgusting.
Report Post »BarCalliyon
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:47amThey’re just shoes, must not take much to disgust you huh?
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 1:46pmWell I guess if they really cared, they’d wear a bra & panties. This stunt does nothing. It takes a serious subject, and makes it some kind of joke.
Report Post »Danola
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:27amNext time they will be wearing burkas for a mile…..
Report Post »Bobby P
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:17amSome of these guys look awfully comfortable wearing high heels. Just sayin’
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:13amOne way to raise awareness is to show respect for human life. How can we expect any better from a society that kills it’s babies with the conscience of a bowel movement. This whole world is absolutely backward but until we put a higher value on human life these horrid things will continue to happen.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:46amExactly. Stunts like this are an easy alternative to looking at the root moral nad societal problems that lead to sexual abuse of women. But that would mean confronting the myth that feminism empowers women.
Report Post »cognitivedissonance
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:04amI’m pretty sure sexual assault and violence against women was a huge problem long before Roe Vs. Wade.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 10:52amcognitivedissonance
Report Post »You are right, there was violence against women before Roe v Wade and I was one of those victims BUT HOW IN THE H3LL CAN YOU COMPARE KILLING INNOCENT BABIES TO RAPE OR ABUSE OF ANY KIND? Have you ever witnessed an abortion?? If you have and you can still make that statement then I beg that God have mercy on your soul.
anutter
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:56amLooks painful.
Report Post »galtlogic
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:54amNews stories should “raise awareness” yet many people in our country still have their heads in their butts and think it is the conservatives and Tea Party who are to blame for our social and economical problems. It is usually for a good cause BUT, stunts and ribbons don’t replace common sense and adults willing to face reality. Its not awareness as much as standards that need raised.
Report Post »starboard
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:51amNever turn down a chance to walk in anothers shoes, you could end up with a nice pair of them…..
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:49amI so hate meaningless stunts done to “raise awareness”.
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:53amSo what meaningful idea would you suggest, ISLESFORDIAN?
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:44amSomething that actually symbolizes the thing they are trying to protest would be far more effective than a stunt which brings to mind only cross dressing. But really, whose hearts are changed by these marches and stunts? Are rapists going to see this event and think to themselves, “Maybe I shouldn’t rape women”? These kinds of things only serve to make the participants feel good that they have done something, when they really haven’t done anything that matters unless it is to communicate to friends who have been assaulted how much they care. But what victim of sexual assault wants to have her male friends walk in high heels to make he feel better?
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:55amSo, I guess, you’d rather see billboards, or TV ads re-enacting a rape? Yeah, I guess that would hit the viewer in the face, however, it would not effect rapists. At least they’re doing SOMETHING to raise awareness!
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:43amI think that the activity presents a challenge, whether it is shaving one’s hair, men wearing high heels or perhaps participating in a triathlon. Some people participate in memory of a loved one who died because of the cause du jour. There’s nothing they can do now to help their loved one, but they can raise money, and so they do.
In this case, does any victim of a domestic abuse situation benefit directly? Probably not, but the funds raised help supply the organizations that support them. I think the participation aspect is more meaningful for the participant than it is for the recipient, but that’s okay. Maybe one more woman will be helped because of the extra funding.
Report Post »ANR2007
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:51amWhy is it meanless i dont think these men would be out walking in high heels if it didnt mean anything. Are you trying to say that walking for MS or rely for life or how about just people wearing pink or on Friday with the awareness of our Soldiers people all over are wearing RED so is that meanless as well cause i think NOT…..or how about any other means of raising awareness are meanless as well…i think thats a joke statement…its a good thing noone is needing you to do anything good for once. That just makes me so mad how all these people are judging and making these statements. Being a female i think this is a great thing for once men are seeing how many females are being violated all over.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:39amWhere can I hire these guys. I need litter-bearers for the Queen and Queen of the Gay Pride Parade here in my town. They would look FABULOUS!!!!!!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:56am“At least they’re doing SOMETHING to raise awareness!”
And how does “raising awareness” diminish the problem? Are the rapists unaware of the problem?
This is the problem with liberal feel good activities. They think the soluttion to a problem is to get more people “aware” of it, as if sin and evil were mere educational issues.
Report Post »lngwlkr
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 10:53amThis is indeed meaningless. Start PUBLICLY cutting off the genitals of rapists and not only will first time rapes be lowered, the incidents of repeated offenders will cease!
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 12:23pmAnyone who thinks this “raises awareness” or helps in any way, shape or form has the IQ of a tree frog.
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:47amWhatever it takes to raise awareness is A-OK with me!
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:07amAnybody stop to think that these guys just wanted an excuse to wear their favorite shoes outside the house for a change??….Just askin’
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:23amGood lord, the guy at the bottom of the stairs in the pink and black platforms must have had a nosebleed from the height!
In our area, just before St. Patrick’s Day, a number of guys associated with a local pub pay to shave their heads for cancer. It’s called St. Baldrick‘s and I say it’s beautiful.
Report Post »Sgt.Crust
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:45amWell, this is a good cause, so I guess I will have to support cross-dressing for this one! There is still good in the world, in the juxtoposition of the Jesus statue being burned, we see a glimmer of hope for America here!
Report Post »Affirmative Blaction
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:04amWhere do you find a size twelve, three inch heel?…….San Fran?
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:21am@ Affirmative Blaction
Report Post »My guess is you can find anything on eBay.
freeus
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 12:27pmStylin’
Report Post »delhoghe
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 1:33pmAnd next week we’ll be performing “ walk a mile in her dress ” to show support for working women who give so much to our country.
Report Post »delhoghe
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 1:37pmOur men have become tranvesticized ( hanging my head ).
Report Post »avenger
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 2:12pmtell these dopes women do not this shet for mile walks…yikes stupidity reigns supreme.
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