Pink flip-flops–cute and perfect for summer days. White stilettos– beautiful and dressy. Tan wedges to match your new spring outfit. Red high heels for a night on the town. Colorful, bright, flashy, flirty, innocent, adorable ladies shoes worn on the feet of men marching in a parade.
This shocking sight greeted Westminster on the morning of Saturday, April 9. The parade, called Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, aimed to raise awareness about rape.
These fashionable men carried signs reading “Real Men Don’t Rape,” “I am Man Enough,” and “Rape Hurts All of Us!”
Marching from Dutter’s park to Westminster city park citizens of Westminster and members of the McDaniel community obeyed the very signs held proudly above the crowd, “Put Yourself in Her Shoes!”
Among those walking were members of the McDaniel Football Team. They collectively agreed that the walk was “enjoyable” and “rewarding,” and that it “felt good to do something.”
They were surprised at the amount of support from the community, shown in the people lining the streets. These men proclaimed, “the football team doesn’t rape!”
A previous campus photo of several students standing behind a sign reading “We Want Casey,” encouraged students to sign it in support of getting President Casey to walk in high-heels.
That Saturday, wearing McDaniel Green high-heeled shoes, McDaniel College’s new President marched proudly with many members of the campus community.
President Casey stated, “It’s great having all the men coming out to support the college and I’m really proud of all the students, faculty and staff that participated in this.”
Among those participants was the Green Terror, also in green high-heeled shoes.
President Casey extended his thanks to Dr. Jim Kunz for setting up the walk, who in turn credited the members of both the social work action team and Phi Alpha who made the posters, collected money, and were the ones responsible for President Casey’s participation.
Thanks to this community event, women know they have support and understanding.
Carroll County’s rape crisis center is located at 224 North Center St. Room #102 in Westminster. The 24 Hour Hotline is 410-857-7322.
