Student vows to walk a year without shoes

By Kaitlin Schallhorn
schallhornk@mytjnow.com

Shane Becker decided to extend TOMS Shoes’ “One Day Without Shoes” campaign to 365 days. Photo by Kaitlyn Schallhorn • schallhornk@mytjnow.comFor a girl who has an obsessive amount of shoes in her closet, not being able to show them off sounds almost like a cruel joke.  

However, Shane Becker, junior special education and theater performance major, has made the decision to put her best foot forward— barefoot.

Becker got the idea to go a year without shoes from TOMS Shoes, which hosts One Day Without Shoes, an effort to encourage people to go one day without wearing shoes in order to raise awareness for children who go everyday without the luxury of shoes.

Becker decided to take the project one step further and stretch the challenge to a full year.  

“It’s not like kids in Africa get to go a day with shoes,” Becker said.

Two months into her project and Becker is still going strong.  Her biggest concern was the scorching hot pavement during the summer months, but that is behind her now. 

Becker, who says she is used to the cold, already has a plan for the winter.  

Her only real fear is frostbite, which she plans to combat by making sure the rest of her body is warm enough that she won’t have to draw heat from her toes.

Of course, going about her daily life sans shoes is not a walk in the park.  

Certain businesses require their customers to follow a dress code, which includes shoes, and are not so inclined to allow a barefoot girl to walk around.  

One such company, Walmart, has given Becker the most trouble.  

Becker was told to “go home, get shoes, and then come back” by the greeter at the door, she said.

Becker has also experienced some difficulties around campus.  

Becker ran into trouble while attempting to get food in Markley’s Food Court, where walking in barefoot is against the rules.  

However, she explained her project and got special permission because it is against her beliefs to wear shoes.

“We have no concerns with Shane,” said Pam Yurkovic, director of Dining Services.  “She is free to go and come as she pleases.”

Becker admits that she keeps a pair of dance shoes in her car to drive in since it is illegal to drive without shoes.  

“I will put them on if people make a point to tell me to put them on,” Becker said.

She also is required to wear shoes for her dance classes.

“I don’t recommend anyone else doing this,” Becker said laughing.  “I am always asking, ‘Why am I doing this?’”

Becker’s friends are mostly supportive of her cause, although they will not accompany her in her quest.  “My mom thinks I’m an idiot, but my dad thinks it’s awesome, although he would never try it himself,” Becker said.

Becker, who learned a lot about Africa through Model United Nations, would love to win a chance at going to Africa one day and help out.

“I feel like all of these activists are protesting something, but they don’t actually experience what they are for or against,” Becker said.  “If I do want to support Africa, I should experience somewhat what they go through.”