Ranting on the Radio

BLENDING

Bringing together the diverse threads of my life

Nancy Jane Moore

Location: Austin, Texas,

Bio: I'm a writer and intellectual who needs physical movement to thrive; a feminist who doesn't feel defined by my gender; a liberal who prefers working class neighborhoods; an Aikido black belt who thinks paying attention is the most important skill of self defense; and a native Texan who lived in Washington, D.C., for many years.

MY RECENT POSTS

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March 19, 2009 07:58PM
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February 22, 2009 09:13AM
An Update on Book View Cafe
February 18, 2009 07:58PM
"I heard the news today, oh boy."
February 18, 2009 02:26PM
Why I'm Still Mad
February 15, 2009 02:24PM

MY RECENT COMMENTS

“Well, unfortunately, outrage after the fact -- coupled with witchhunts -- is how…”
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March 18, 2009 10:14AM
“While I thought Rich was right about the current shift in tone, I think he undere…”
March 15, 2009 11:19AM
“Thanks, aim. I'll try to get around to posting about martial arts subjects at som…”
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February 20, 2009 10:10AM

Nancy Jane Moore's Links

My Other Blogs: Taking Care of Ourselves; Ambling Along the Aqueduct; In This Moment; Book View Cafe Blog
My Books: Conscientious Inconsistencies; Changeling
Online Fiction: Book View Cafe

« Back to Posts

JANUARY 4, 2009 7:13PM

Rate: 0 Flag

Bad Shoes NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday program let me rant on the radio Jan. 4 -- they aired my comment criticizing Isaac Mizrahi for advocating high-heeled shoes.

I listened, of course. (How could I resist hearing myself on the air?) My comment was preceded by one from a doctor who treats women suffering from the damage inflicted by high heels. His instruction to avoid heels in any situation where you might need to walk or stand is great advice.

However, they left out one line of my commentary -- my observation that high-heeled shoes make women more vulnerable. That's at the heart of my rant. If your shoes put you off balance, and keep you from walking far or running at all, they keep you from taking care of yourself in a tight situation.

Wearing high heels makes a woman a little bit helpless, but the myth persists that women look "sexier" in heels. I've asked before and I'll ask again: Do you really want a lover who is attracted to you because you look helpless?

Author tags:

fashion, feminism, npr

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Comments

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On the other hand in a pinch the heel of a shoe like the one you have used above can easily disable an attacker in many ways. Eyes, groin, you name it.

Ablonde

February 13, 2009 03:27 AM

Well, anything -- including a shoe -- can be used as a weapon. But I prefer to wear shoes I can run in, since I'd rather avoid a fight than have one any day. Besides people come equipped with plenty of natural weapons: Fingers can stab eyes and a knee or foot to the groin will stop most men.