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eporter Vol. CXXII Issue 15
Stetson University | DeLand, Fla.
Men Stumble in Stilettos (For a Good Cause) Walk a Mile in Her Shoes comes to Stetson Amber Cox Staff Writer Have you ever heard the old saying, “You can’t really understand another person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes?” Well, this outlook was brought to Stetson by Wellness & Recreation on April 8 for The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Campaign, which literally asks men to walk in women’s high-heeled shoes. Not just for kicks and giggles (though there definitely were giggles), the event was a unique way to start conversation about something that is uncomfortable to discuss: sexual violence against women. Serving as preventive education, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes aims to help men better understand women’s experiences. Each year, schools across the nation participate in this playful opportunity to improve gender relationships and ultimately, decrease the potential for sexual violence. Stetson
has decided to join in on the fun. Terrance Harris, Assistant Director of Wellness and Recreation, said, “We did the event with Alpha Chi Omega last year, and we wanted to do it again to bring awareness to the sexual violence against women and to show that it is not easy to be in a woman’s shoes.” Dyman Miller, the vice president of the Wellness Interns, said that they decided to hold the event in April because it is is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Since they held the event before, they wanted to “make it different by incorporating obstacles.” The obstacle course featured stations that asked the men participating to answer various questions about sexual assault or bystander situations. Other aspects of the walk featured hula hoops, navigating cones, and even carrying sandbags. In contrast to the event’s name, however, the gentleman participating in
Stetson’s event did not actually have to walk a mile. “But,” Harris said “they still get the feeling with the obstacle course.” “We also have girls holding cat-calling signs, which is demeaning and degrading, but goes with the theme of awareness and showing men what being in women’s shoes is like,” Miller added. Harris added that the overall support and involvement for the event has been great. “We have had a lot of football players and fraternity members participate,” he said. After completing the obstacle course, Stetson student Bruno Alvez said what he took away from the event was that “just like small barriers are harder with heels, small gender biases can create huge issues.” Ty Hamer, another Stetson student, agreed and said, “It is good to bring awareness to the topic.” “Wedges aren’t that bad though,” Hamer jokingly added.
Photos credit: Shadee Rios
Stetson men try their hand—or really, their foot—at high heels while learning about the issue of sexual assault. Meanwhile, girls hold up “cat-calling signs,” giving the men a taste of what it’s like being in womens’ shoes, literally and figuratively.
Inside this issue:
The Reporter’s Los Angeles adventure Pages 6 & 7
Local music festival is a big hit Page 8
Women’s sand volleyball: Battle of the Top Tens Page 11