I've been barefoot in school for 3 weeks, and today, someone apparantly decided to complain to the principal.. I was called down to the office, lectured about how dangerous and stupid it is to not wear shoes and how there are state laws that say you must wear shoes in public places. I didn't get in trouble, but if I get caught again I will. I know that the state law thing is bullshit, and that my chances of getting injured/getting a foot fungus are higher when wearing shoes. I tried to say this, but was ignored, and had to promise to wear shoes. Theres enough info on barefooters.org for me to make a decent argument, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. There are only 2 weeks left of school, and while I feel healthier and have been able to concentrate better without shoes, I don't want to get myself suspended or anything at this point. So, is it worth it? If so, does anyone have any other info (websites, books, etc) that could help me get a good argument together?
Only YOU can decide if it's worth a challenge. You can explain that as part of your learning process you wish further information. Ask for the statute that prohibits or inhibits bare feet in school. Tell them you have researched this matter and desire to present evidence to support the belief in your rights. In chem labs, metal shop, etc. it may be wise to don protection. Fungus, athlete's foot and foot deformities are virtually eliminated by going barefoot. It's more healthy than wearing shoes! Just because someone 'complains' doesn't mean THEY must prevail. What if YOU complained that you didn't like the way someone dressed, set their hair, etc. What may be undesireable or distasteful to one person may be appealing to another. If you desire to go barefoot you are not infringing on anyone else's freedom. It is YOUR right to do so. I'm expressing myself in the spirit of the 60's. I certainly don't mind seeing a pair of tough, filthy feet. I respect others and they should respect me.
It really is no different to someone complaining about a person wearing muslim attire or being overheard speaking Arabic behind the bikesheds. It's a load of bollocks, and the school should realise that, except they've all been brought up to do things a certain way and so they're not going to let some young upstart tell them they're wrong. It should not be too difficult for you to present information supporting a case for going barefoot at school. There's plenty of information available, as you said yourself. However, the school has the right to impose its own rules. Now hiding behind bogus laws is wrong, but the school can always say "look we're not going to allow you to do it anyway" and you won't be able to do much about that. A school can make you shave, make you wear a uniform, not allow you to wear jewellery, or even set strict guidlines on how you cut your hair. None of those things are illegal, immoral, health hazards or liability problems, but the school can still make you do that. School isn't the real world, they set up their own environment in which to educate people, and if they get it wrong, well they have the right to do that. If you've only got 2 weeks of it left then I'd probably give into them in the most minimalistic way you can. Take flipflops to school, only wear them when you are specifically told to. Go barefoot into your exams - it's proven that you'll be able to concentrate better and they'll probably allow that. In the breaktimes if you want to take your packed lunch out onto the grass barefoot and then have a barefoot kickabout with your mates on the football pitch, or whatever it is you do then you should be able to push it as much as possible. You wont' be able to leave your shoes at home entirely, which is a bugger, I know, but you'll get the next best thing out of it. Then you'll finish school, summer hols will be a lot of barefoot fun for you i'm sure, and then after that you're off to university where they certainly won't give you much hassle.
To summarize all that's been said: go barefoot and if there is any further problems, point to the constitution if your principal needs any more convincing that there is nothing he/she can do to make you conform to someone's view of what you should be. The right to pursue hapiness is what protects you; and you shouldn't let any ordinance get in the way of that.
I think it is worth it for you to compose a letter detailing EXACTLY the points about why the "you must wear shoes" order is flawed and stupid; have it signed by your parents; present it to the school authorities and demand that they address the points you made. If they are going to claim that there's a law against going barefoot, they should have to prove it, especially in the face of an assertion that it is not true. It's one thing to have a personal objection (however stupid and irrelevant that ought to be), but it is quite something else to rest on a fraudulent claim of governmental/legislative authority. I think that you will not feel right about yourself if you let this idiotic edict stand without challenging it -- or at least without informing the powers that be that you know exactly how stupid and wrong they truly are. Be strong. Blue skies, -Jeffrey
Not worth it. Why would you want to jeopardize your graduation over a silly social rebellion? The school has every right to forbid bare feet, in fact it's doing its social duty by enforcing at least minimal attire code. YOU are in the wrong here, and persisting will only hurt YOU.
I kind of agree with Astaroth... I mean, I'm all for standing for yourself and doing what you believe in, and it's your choice to take the risk of dangers presented to you... but institutions have these things in place for a reason. People have a nasty tendancy to sue! And if the headliner comes out (cuz meadia sucks these things dry) "girl got stabbed in foot by infected needle at local school" it's the school thats going to get a bad rep. Stupid, but true. By all means, go barefoot at the beach, at home, on a walk around your house. But in institutions where there are rules it's usually better to pay attention to them, not because "conforming is good", but because other people may get affected. Plus, it's true! It's just two weeks left. I don't think that it would be worth it to me.
I appreciate all the feedback. My graduation isn't in jeopardy - I'm going into sophomore year of high school.. but i still don't want to get myself suspended as it goes on your record and can interfere with privelages gained as an upperclassman. I did a bunch of research last night, and at this point, would be happy to never see another pair of shoes. after wearing shoes in school most of the day today, my feel, ankles and legs hurt. Our school isn't exactly the most dangerous place to walk barefoot. No needles lying around, the floor is kept pretty clean - I have no problem with wearing shoes in woodshop, gym, and even the life skills cooking room where theres the possibility of dropping something that could burn. The worst that could possibly happen would probably have to be something large falling on my foot (possibility of metatarsal fractures), but this same risk exists with sandals. And I would never even consider sueing the school if i were to be injured - I take full responsibility for my decision, and if I do write them a letter, I'll include that I'd be willing to sign a liability form (and get my parents to sign it) assuring them that no lawsuit would be taken against them under any circumstance. I think I might wait until next school year to start this. I want to do something about it, if not just educate them and prove to myself that I'm not completely powerless at the hands of the public education system, but with 5 finals to study for along with other work, I don't think I'll have enough time to compose a convincing letter. Also, by the beginning of next school year, my feet should be tough enough to handle pretty much anything (i plan to go barefoot for as much of the summer as possible) so I'll have a better case. For now, i'll wear shoes in the hall and kick them off in classrooms where I can't get in trouble for "walking around barefoot" Also, to Astaroth, i'm not barefooting for the sake of social rebellion. I like causing controvercy, but that's almost never my sole reason for doing something. I love the increased body awareness I feel when not wearing shoes. I like the idea that I'm walking how I'm supposed to - the way we evolved (or were created). Shoes limit this, and actually cause most foot, ankle, and leg problems. If you want more info on this, check out the essays and excerpts from podiatric books posted on barefooters.org I'm quite flat-footed and even the orthotics that I wear in my shoes daily don't eliminate the leg pain that this problem causes, but when I go barefoot, I experience almost none of this pain. So I have actual motive.
I started going barefoot to school for abit...and I totally understand what you are saying, I was more able to concentrate on school work, more calm and comfortable, I was generally happier at all times, but my tech teacher freaked out about it and as did several students(they didn't make any actions luckily just were freaked out and a little offended) but I had to agree to wear shoes for him...or else he probley would have gone to the office...and it is in the dress code... I think this is something I will make the point of fighting for...People are allowed to stretch certain rules for religious reasons, and thats fine...I just think bare footers should be given the same rights...after all I would not be pushing to be allowed to go to school naked or anything that would disrupt people- I can definatly see how that may not work, but bare feet don't effect anyone but the person they are attached to...
I disagree about school having the right to make you wear shoes... they are impinging on your rights. But if you must, why not get some sole-less shoes?
I disagree with Astaroth. In fact, I found his post very condescending toward Nkat. If we as a society keep tolerating the "our rules are in place because we might get sued, no matter how likely or unlikely," eventually every venue will be prohibiting everyone from doing everything. You yourself call it "stupid but true," and then tell her that she has to lump it and go along with it! So which is it, then?? If it's "stupid," then it SHOULD be fought, because stupidity does not make a sound basis for an enforceable policy! Who says that Nkat is going barefoot just to stick it to the institution?? I go barefoot about 99% of my time, wearing only flip-flops at work and kicking them off there all the time, and I do it because that's how I'm comfortable. And if there is no objective, compelling need to require me to wear shoes, that freedom should not be taken from me (nor Nkat). Anyone who claims that she is in such danger just for going barefoot is simply full of shit. Blue skies, -Jeffrey
I have worked as a substitute teacher years ago in NH. A few times when I got to class I left my shoes under the desk and walked around class. The students never cared and thought it was cool.But once when another faculty person came into my classroom, luckily I was near my desk but couldn't just bend down to get my shoes so I sorta froze near the desk and made a student get whatever it was that the person needed. Afterwards my class laughed because they realized why I wouldn't do it myself.
Peacefuljeffrey: your vehemence alone is a testament to the fact that, at the very least unconsciously, you think of bare feet as a societal rebellion. Think for a second what you're so vehemently advocating and how insignificant it really is. I mean, really, WHO CARES? There are certain rules in place, there is such a thing as necessary discipline. It's uncomfortable to run to the nearest bathroom when you have to take a piss, but you just don't drain your lizard in the middle of a street, do ya now? Not to mention that bare feet are often interpreted sexually, and certain environments (such as schools) should avoid such distractions. And yes, before you come back at me, they could be doing a better job. I, for one, miss the days of school uniforms. By the way, you don't seem all that peaceful to me, bub...
Astaroth, you have to remember that you're talking in a forum for people who all like to go barefoot (I'm assuming that the nudists include it in what they get up to). So it's not a good idea to take a stance against it. You're only going to upset a load of people. May I ask why you post in this forum if you're not a keen barefooter yourself? Or are you the sort of nudist who wears sandals for "safety" reasons? With the attitude you've shown I very much doubt you're a nudist at all.
Aastaroth sounds like a reincarnation of Leon Cerventes or whatever his name was. Same remarks about rebellion and sexual interpretation of bare feet. Then again, maybe Cerventes' lawyer got him out of jail again and it's really him. The mood of this bare-it forum has really changed since the server changed a few weeks back. The atmosphere has become irritable. Could be the blue text on the blue background is subconciously annoying everyone? The other forums on this site have gotten irritable too since the server change. Hmm.
Let's let each other decide what is a good idea and what isn't, shall we? I don't really care if I put off a few people. Or is free speech protected insofar it doesn't ruffle any feathers?
Astaroth is most certainly NOT a nudist. read what he posted in another thread (about Gymnophobia): Don't do it. It's indecent, and by exposing yourself to others you gain nothing. Shame exists for a reason. __________________ Mogake, Wameke, SHINEE!! Well, I replied to him that he is really very negative. But I have to correct myself: he's getting offensive.
