Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Mandy Mount <>]

Hi all, 

I would like to offer just a brief note on this topic, as we hosted the first 
one of these events on our campus this year.

While we were aware of the possibility for the negative associations with 
this event, including homophobia and transphobia, as mentioned below....

For us, this became a call to provide some very intentional and clear 
education on the topic of gender socialization.  We were careful that every 
single student and staff member that worked with us on the event understood 
the way in which we were approaching this event and that they could 
articulate this to others, when other interpretations were (or BEFORE other 
interpretations could be) made.  
That is....another way to conceptualize the gender binary that is highlighted 
by this march is to utilize it to highlight the very issue that is 
problematic:  gender is socially constructed.
Women are not women because of what they wear (heels, etc.) and men, whose 
feet are biologically the same, can come through this to realize the great 
extent to which gender IS socially constructed.  Through wearing 
uncomfortable heels themselves, having the "same" feet as women, they become 
aware of the ways in which society has come to limit and pigeonhole a woman's 
identity through something as commonplace and socially acceptable as the 
selection of particular clothing types.  (not to mention arguments about the 
ways in which heels limit a woman's mobility and power)
It causes all (but perhaps men in particular) to experience an increased 
awareness of some of the ridiculous assignments made to gender roles (e.g. 
high heeled shoes) that have no basis whatsoever in actual differences 
between men and women.  This can be used then as a launching point for 
discussion. We can engage students in activities that allow them to explore 
the assumptions they make about "natural" differences between men and women, 
and challenge these in new ways. 

While caution should be utilized and care taken in the articulation of the 
event's purpose...even the problematic interpretations can be helpful, as 
they attract an audience that could benefit from education.
Once there, this audience can be exposed to new ideas and new interpretations 
of their experiences and assumptions. 

If everyone understands this use of the heels in the march (which is actually 
one I have not seen in websites or other programs outlining the purpose of 
the event - but it is the one that we used here)....I think it can be a 
valuable educational tool.

I'd be interested in other thoughts.

Best regards,
Mandy

________________________________________________

 Mandy K. Mount, Ph.D., Director
UCI Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE)
630 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-2215 

Phone: (949) 824-7273
Fax: (949) 824-1235
www.care.uci.edu

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-----Original Message-----
From: 

 
[mailto:]
 On Behalf Of Wantland, Ross A
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 3:16 PM
To: Bates-Pratt, Shalise; 
''
Subject: RE: Question about Walk A Mile in Her Shoes

Hey everyone,
  This question has been tossed around on a couple of listservs this 
semester. I have to say that in general, I agree with Chris Linder about the 
problematic implications of this event. I think that it can be fraught with 
homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and misleading notions of what it means to 
be a "woman." That said, for the first time, I have a group of men on our 
campus who have taken this event under their wing, and I have done my best to 
hold my tongue and help lead them to thinking about the implications of the 
event and how best to reach men - and being realistic about what the men are 
doing. They aren't gaining empathy (though if you ask the organizers who have 
spent a few hours on our Quad wearing high heels, they talk about the insight 
they've gained into women's fashion in depth) for women's experiences of 
violence and threats of violence; they are playing "dress-up." But...  But... 
I'm hopeful that this semi-easy opportunity for men to get involved can be a g
 ateway. But I don't know. Talk to me next Monday after our event, then I'll 
let you know. when it all goes to hell in a handbasket, I may eat my words :) 
 I am starting to be more thoughtful about the ways this event could be 
useful, when used strategically. 
   Let's keep talking bout this! I think it definitely is a weird 
counterpoint/point to the "real man" efforts to get men involved ("real men 
don't hurt women," etc.) that we also sometimes use to gain male allies...and 
I think both have their pros and cons!
Peace,
Ross
________________________________________
From: 

 
[]
 On Behalf Of Bates-Pratt, Shalise 
[]
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 3:08 PM
To: 
''
Subject: RE: Question about Walk A Mile in Her Shoes

Hello Colleagues,

I've been approached by a group on our campus that wants to host a "Walk a 
Mile in Her Shoes" event on our campus.

Have any of you all done an event like this before?  Can you all share 
information, flyers, programs, planning documents, pictures, etc to help me 
help them make this event successful?

Shalise Bates-Pratt
Director of Student Leadership and Gender Resources
Randolph-Macon College
PO Box 5005
Campus Center-304 Henry Street
Ashland, VA  23005
ph 804-752-3205
fax 804-752-3211



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