April 10

http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/

>_>

You know...this isn't about barefooting, or seeing women's feet you know...

No, but it's a great opportunity

>_> Is that all you care about?

Oh Saint Stanley, forgive us because we've sinned...

You take so much delight in pointing out our faults that I wonder what are the reasons you visit City Feet. You know, we are not that important, but mere mortals.

Maybe this forum is not the best place for a knight in shining armour with a pure soul like you.

When did I point out any faults?

It is the main point I care about, to tell you the truth

Not that this movement is actually known in my country...

Yes you are right, it's not about fetish:
- it is about corporate advertising.
- it is about distracting people with an easy way to pretend to "care" and feel better about themselves
- it's about white man's burden and the white saviour complex
- it's a way to justify the exploitation of sweatshop workers and the structural causes of poverty by sugar-coating it in phony good intentions
- it's a way to make to more money selling overpriced crappy shoes by appealing to people's emotions rather than intellect,
- it's philantro-capitalism, it's mail-order charity, it's indulgances to pay for your first world sins....

As you see, I have no love for Toms. I invite you to read one of many articles outlining why this a bad way to "help" people around the world.

Articles:

http://ht.ly/4uyJS
http://goodintents.org/in-kind-donations/toms-shoes
http://apersonaldiaspora.blogspot.com/2011...on-bad-aid.html (very long)
http://www.tinyspark.org/podcasts/toms-shoes/ (about Tom's evangelical bent)

Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EaSlKqs6Fo..._embedded#at=49
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=playe...d&v=hpAMbpQ8J7g (video about commercial philanthropy in general)

I'll also leave you with a good quote from Teju Cole:
"The White Savior Industrial Complex is not about justice. It is about having a big emotional experience that validates privilege."

let's enjoy the beautiful female feet without squabbling about politics

I would also add that the day without shoes initiative almost certainly has to be motivated by a fetish. There are lots of other ways to raise awareness, like everyone wear a shirt that says toms or whatnot. They argue that going barefoot is detrimental to health and then ask people to do it... There's no logic there. The whole matter of their site having an "everyone send us your photos" section kind of solidifies my suspicion.

I agree with those above who say it is about commercial advertising and marketing. But I am verry happy with this day: My girlfriend likes going barefoot, but is kind of shy of doing so in public. This day is a great oppertunity for her to go barefoot without caring what other people think of her. So she went barefoot this day and i sure enjoyed it