i'm not wearing shoes today. i haven't worn shoes all day. i'm not barefoot because i think it's going to change something or because i think i'm some type of gung-ho revolutionary. the event is simply to raise awareness on poverty in foreign countries by pointing out that while this one day without shoes might be uncomfortable, thousands of children and people all over the world go without shoes every day and it's more than just uncomfortable. it's unsanitary, it's unsafe, and it's unacceptable.
so you can continue pointing out that not wearing shoes for a day "doesn't do anything." you can keep acting like doing something this small doesn't count, or that the people whoare participating in this event are too scared to actually "go out and do something", or that we are wasting our time with silent protest instead of monetary contribution or physical labor. the point here isn't to necessarily change something, although i believe it does make a small difference. by doing this small thing, by going barefoot for one short day, we point out the obvious fact that people seem to be ignoring; that everyone deserves a pair of shoes, plain and simple. there are certain undeniable rights that every human being is entitled to- not just a pair of shoes, but clean water, enough food, clothes for every season, an education, proper shelter... and love. so go ahead. wear your cute little rainboots and your designer raincoats when the rain starts coming down. comfort yourself with the fact that you can use your wireless connection to complain on your facebook status about someone else's choice... the choice to not wear shoes for one measly day in silent protest against the unfair conditions those thousands of miles away from our little bubbles are subjected to. but please remember that your complaints do absolutely nothing as well. this is all about support, and if we can do this one small thing to make the issue more upfront, then shouldn't every single, solitary one of us be barefoot today?
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