The speaker expresses that many people try to tell the Black community how to feel and react without understanding their experiences. The speaker uses the metaphor of shoes to represent their experiences as a Black person. They describe being forced to wear shoes that were not their own for 246 years and how they are now free to choose their own shoes, representing the progress that has been made but also the continued struggles and discrimination faced. The speaker welcomes others to walk with them and learn about their experiences in order to better understand their perspective and stride.

1. To: Those who don’t know
For: Those who do know
From: One in the know
With all the controversy over the Trayvon Martin case, I was inspired to express my feelings through a
speech. I believe if people start listening to the Black Community and stop judging the Black
Community, they will understand why we do the things we do, why we speak the way we do and why
we walk the way we walk. So many people are trying to tell the Black Community how to feel and
how to react, but that is impossible until you have walked in our shoes.
My Shoes
Do you know what it is like to walk in my shoes? I have walked in your shoes a million times, but do you
even know my size? Do you know the color? Do you know where I have walked? I don’t think you do. I
know your size, color and where you have walked because you gave me the shoes. You made me wear
your shoes when I wanted my own. You told me to walk like you or don’t walk at all. Did it matter about
the fit or the color? No! All that mattered was that I stepped and fetched what you intended. When I
needed new shoes because of worn soles and holes that exposed my frozen toes, you told me to grin
and bear it. “Tote that barge and lift that bale.” I knew as I got off that long middle passage cruise that
those were not the shoes for me; too much weight and not enough kick.
I wore those shoes and others passed down for about 246 years. Where are my shoes? I began to
demand as I kicked off those old tattered demons.You said, I can have these shoes, but I cannot have
those. I can walk here, but I cannot walk there. Ok, but I need to get on the bus; the front of the bus
please! I need to climb to the top of the mountain and shout free at last, free at last. Thank God
almighty, I am free at last.
Now that I am free, I can finally choose my own shoes. There are many to choose from like row house
shoes, protest shoes, civil rights shoes, HBCU shoes and, wait!What type of shoes are these? These are
PresidentialShoes. Who knew? I knew!Yes we can! I think I will take two;one pair for the First Lady. You
said these shoes would last for no more than four years. Well, you were wrong. These shoes are high
quality and in high demand.
There are many shoes to choose from and they are all mine. Yes, I bought them. You did not give them
to me. I am entitled to them because I earned them, and if I want to give them to others, that is my
choice. In fact, you can have a pair. What? Did you say no? Why? Are you afraid of where they have
been? Maybe you are afraid of where they are going? I know they are better than the shoes you think I
should wear. If you would walk in my shoes for one minute, you would see why I walk with a particular
stride. It is a stride, you cannot manipulate or duplicate.

2. I bought my shoes in my community, so in order for you to get a pair, you would have to come in and
stay awhile. We have a lot to offer. Walking in my shoes means understanding my ancestral design. It
means knowing the fear of losing your shoes because they are the wrong color or they don’t fit.
Sometimes it means splitting the pair up and never being able to put them back together again. My
shoes have been stepped on, spit on, laughed at and called another name besides the name shoe, but
they always look brand new.
I know you are trying to make up a reason for why they look so brand new and why I walk the way I do.
It is because my shoes were shinned by a higher power. My shoes walk in the footsteps of the almighty
and they have everlasting life. You cannot pick my shoes for me nor tell me where to walk. My path was
chosen by He who is greater than thee. I welcome you to walk with me, talk with me and learn about
me. Please, understand that I don’t walk in the back and you do not walk in the front. My stride is long
and steady. I have made it too far to turn back. Keep up because I have more to see and do. It is my time
to walk in the light. I might stumble. I might fall, but I will get back up and continue in my stride. Don’t
stop me. Join me. You may never know what it is like to walk in my shoes, but keep listening as I march
on until victory is won!
Michelle R. Taylor – Educating 24/7