Civilization in Heels

So once again, for the fifth time in six years, I have put on some of the most uncomfortable footwear ever designed with serious thoughts of it actually being worn, and walked through Our Little Town carrying a sign.

Because you have to do these things now and then.

Every year the local YWCA has its annual “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” event.  It’s a fundraiser, designed to raise money for their domestic violence prevention and response programs – programs that get far more use than they ought to get in a civilized society.

But we’re not a civilized society.  Not really. 

Americans have amply demonstrated over the last couple of years that as a culture we love our guns more than our children.  We tolerate levels of social inequality, poverty, violence, and unnecessary sickness that civilized societies would find inexcusable.  For crying out loud, there is an entire political party in this nation whose sole reason for existing right now is to deny healthcare to American citizens at all costs, up to and including destroying the nation’s credit rating for an entire generation.  That fact is in itself a damning indictment of American life.  And on top of all that, we live in a society where domestic violence is all too common.

Civilization does not come easy.  Nor does it come instantly.  You have to fight for it.  You have to work for it.  You have to accept that progress comes step by step.

Even when you’re stepping along in high heels.

Some two hundred people marched last night, many of them men in heels.  Policemen.  Firemen.  City councilmen.  Football players.  Men who have had enough and who want to see some civilization around these parts.

We march because sometimes you have to do ridiculous things if you want people to pay attention to what matters.

We march because civilization isn’t easy and it isn’t painless and it isn’t something you can build in a day but it is something that can be lost all too quickly if you just let things slide that should never slide.

I don’t know how much money we raised this year, hobbling around on those dratted shoes.  The kind and generous folks who donated to my cause chipped in $390, which is a personal best for my participation in this event.  I am grateful to everyone who gave, and I thank you.