A Year in Red and Purple

Beginning Saturday, May 28, 2016, I am going to wear red high-top sneakers and purple bracelets every day for a year.

Why? Because domestic violence and sexual abuse are a scourge on our communities.

According to the website NoMore.org :

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience violence from their partners in their lifetimes.
• 1 in 3 teens experience sexual or physical abuse or threats from a boyfriend or girlfriend in one year.
• 1 in 5 women are survivors of rape.
• 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lives.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men were sexually abused before the age of 18.

In my community, there are four organizations that help victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse: the East Texas Crisis Center; the Help Center; the Family Peace Project; and The Farm. I am dedicating this year in red and purple to raising money for them, so they can continue to faithfully serve the community’s victims.

Why red and purple? Well, purple is the color for Domestic Violence Awareness and for the last four years the East Texas Crisis Center has held a Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event where men walk around our county courthouse in red high heels. So that explains the red shoes.

I am hoping people ask me about the curious color scheme. I am hoping they ask why a 53 year old man is wearing red Converse All-Star High Tops every day.

I am hoping they ask so I can tell them that half our women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes. So I can tell them the only way it will stop is if men stand up and say enough. And so I can tell them about the great work being done quietly around our community.

I invite you to follow me through the year and see what happens. I also hope you will consider making a donation on the Go Fund Me page. Every penny donated will go in equal portions to the four organizations listed above. I will pay the bank transaction fees so that every penny you see on the Go Fund Me counter will be donated.