Choosing bare feet

We see them everywhere. In many instances, they’re a requirement for entry. For some, they are a fashion statement. They are shoes. From flip-flops to Uggs and Chucks to Sperrys, they are just shoes. Or are they? Philanthropic footwear company TOMS Shoes will try to show all of us that they most certainly are not just shoes.

TOMS has called for “One day without shoes” on Tuesday. The idea is simple. The company is asking participants worldwide to shed their shoes for a single day in order to raise awareness for the millions suffering without protection for their feet.

Participants’ bare feet will hopefully spark conversation, and conversation will lead to awareness and that awareness to action.

Some of you may already be onboard the sole-less solidarity movement.

Perhaps there are those who find the idea less productive and beneficial than a simple shoe drive. There are also probably some of you who believe this is a corporate publicity stunt bent on raising profits as much as awareness.

I, for one, am in the first category. I do not see the harm in asking customers and supporters to decide to spend a single day to raise awareness for those who do not have the luxury of choosing. Even if this is a corporate ploy, at the very least, I know that every resulting pair of TOMS purchased will beget another pair for a child in need.

Therefore, I admonish everyone to spend some time out of their shoes. Even if you can only spend an hour without them, you’ll be better off for it. Take some time to be barefoot and briefly experience a life without shoes.

Don’t do it for TOMS. Definitely don’t do it for me. Do it for the children, and do it for yourself. Take some time to appreciate the simple blessings we have. Take some time to ponder how you can change the world around us.

Maybe going barefoot for one day doesn’t equivocate to an entire lifetime without shoes. An hour without footwear most certainly does not. Maybe the only result of “One day without shoes” will be calloused feet.

However, if walking around barefoot for a day can infect even one person with knowledge or inspire another to action, then I can ice my footsies in peace.

­— smech@indiana.edu