The k2p blog

The history of shoe throwing is not very old, and the first such incident in recent history took place against  President George W Bush on his visit to Iraq in 2008. Since then, several political leaders worldwide, including a Chinese premier, have become targets of fancy footwear by people who found it a happy outlet of their resentments. Throwing shoes as an extension of showing the sole of one’s foot or using shoes to insult are forms of protest primarily associated with the Arab world. Pointing ones feet at someone is a general mark of disrespect across most of Asia.

http://dvice.com/pics/bush_shoe_games_main.jpg

Iraqi shoe-throwing reporter becomes the talk of Iraq 14th December 2008

Graduate student arrested for throwing a shoe at Wen February 2, 2009

Shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist has shoe thrown at him 2nd December 2009

Pakistan TV blocked over Zardari shoe-throwing 15th August 2010

Shoe-throwing policeman hailed as ‘hero’ in Kashmir 17th August 2010

Youth Hurls Shoe At Haryana Chief Minister 23rd August 2010

Shoe- throwing has quickly become an unambiguous, easily understood and visible expression of political contempt, dissent and outrage coupled to a helplessness against the “establishment”. It may well characterise a new behavioural pattern for those who consider themselves disenfranchised and down-trodden.

It is time to establish some standard guide-lines for shoe-throwing and shoe-throwers:

1. Do not wear the shoe to be thrown.

2.Carry the shoe to be thrown in a plastic  “smell-proof” bag so as not to annoy your neighbors.

3. Choose a shoe that is not too heavy (no boots or metal studs) and one you will not miss.

4. Choose a light, brightly coloured shoe which shows up well on camera.

5. Arrange for an accomplice to film the event and upload the video quickly to You-tube.

6. Stand within your throwing distance but not too far from an exit. If possible stand at an exit.

7. Do not have your name on the shoe.

8. If using a well known brand, ensure that the brand name is clearly visible.

9. Keep photographs of the shoe taken before it was thrown for possible sale to the press later.

10. Have your “statement of contempt” or any other manifesto available and ready to issue on the web and as a press release.

11. Have one copy of your statement within the shoe to be thrown.

12. Activate your lawyer before the shoe is thrown and have him and a doctor available close to the nearest lock-up or police station.

Tags: behaviour, protest

This entry was posted on August 23, 2010 at 11:12 am and is filed under Art, Behaviour. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.