The Flyer & The Frat Star

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Hero

Two thoughts are running through my head right now. Number one: I am so fucking proud of Josephine right now. Number two: my feet hurt so fucking bad and I'm pretty sure my pinky toes will need to be surgically removed after this. I stare up at my beautiful girlfriend who's currently standing on a makeshift stage behind a podium, nervously clearing her throat before beginning the speech she's been practicing for the past week so often she could recite it in her sleep. "Testing. One, two. Can everyone hear me okay?" she asks timidly as she cutely taps the microphone. Her hair is in two braids while she dons a WSU Cheerleading t-shirt and boyfriend jeans. She looks so innocent up there, yet I know just how innocent is isn't. The other members of the cheerleading squad fill the stage behind her and off the sides, Khadijha giving her shoulder a quick squeeze in encouragement.

"I hear you, babe!" I cup my hands around my mouth and shout from the crowd. Her eyes instantly find mine and she noticeably relaxes as the crowd chuckles at my outburst. I told her she'd be able to find me in the crowd as she panicked before she entered the stage and to deliver the speech like it's just the two of us. She takes a deep breath and smiles directly at me before continuing.

"First off, I'd just like to thank you all for coming out to participate and support the cause in WSU's first annual Walk a Mile in her Shoes event," she pauses as the crowd and her squad breaks out into cheers and claps, and her smile widens as she emanates radiance and confidence at the overwhelming reaction. Once the crowd settles, she locks eyes with me and resumes. "One in five women college women admit to being sexually assaulted. 90% of those assaults went unreported. Rape culture on college campuses is an epidemic that cannot be ignored any longer. Women are scared to come forward and report for fear of not being believed, embarrassment, and immense shame. It is up to us as students to come together to demand change on part of University policy and create a safer space for sexual assault victims. These amazing men lined up back there have volunteered to walk a mile in heels to show their support and solidarity for sexual assault survivors and the dedication to change college culture. Let's give them all a round of applause. Look at those calves!" Josephine pauses as the crowd turns to look at where we are lined up and sends her signature wink my way. One thing is for sure, I have no fucking idea how women wear heels on a daily basis. I haven't even started walking yet and I have blisters. Sam has tripped 3 times just lining up.

When Jo first came to me with the idea to organize the event, I was incredibly excited and proud of her progress. When she asked me to recruit some frats to participate, I was a bit nervous to fall short of her expectations. Surprisingly, not all frat kids are inconsiderate douchebags. The majority of the guys from Sig Nu and the others along frat row jumped at the opportunity to join, and the turnout is bigger than anyone expected. And this is all because of Josephine. So that's how I find myself standing in a t-shirt, joggers, and bright red heels with socks. The things men do for love, I chuckle to myself. But more than that, helping Jo organize this event has opened my eyes to the disgusting reality of American college campuses. As she was gathering statistics for her speech I was outraged, and the testimonies from survivors on how the universities responded made me physically ill. I've come to the conclusion that every day I spend with Josephine turns me into a better man, and I actually may be starting to like who I've become.

The crowd whoops, hollers, whistles, and laughs as the guys as they strike poses to show off their heels. "Sexual assault affects everyone," she gulps. I can see the nerves creeping back up as she approaches this part of her speech. I assured her she didn't have to do it if she didn't want to, but she was adamant that this was vital in her recovery and the girls from her support group encouraged it. Stepping up to stand next to her, Elle grabs her hand and gives her a supporting nod. The two have grown quite close over the last weeks, and it turns out the Elle has been a great friend for Josephine. "And as many of you already know, it's affected me," the crowd falls silent at her somber admission, and I want nothing more than to run up to that stage and pull her into my arms to protect her from the world. But I know this is something that she has to do on her own. She is so goddamn strong all on her own and she needs to realize it.