Lucia Thomas | Staff Illustrator

Foot fetishes aren’t new, and neither is society’s obsession with them. But, in a hazy recollection of my past, I remember a time when the kids around me were learning what a foot fetish was. The idea that feet could be appealing and even sexy was a foreign thought to all of us. It was divisive and interesting.

Today, foot fetishes have gone from a hidden, often taboo, sexual preference into a visible, frequently discussed element of the modern cultural zeitgeist. No longer are the days when you can go barefoot without getting a side-eye. The memeification of feet may have started as laughable discourse, but the cultural obsession has morphed from an internet joke into the real-life policing of bodies.

If you look at meme culture within the last five years, feet have slowly crept into a large part of its content, giving the body part sexual and dirty connotations. Dan Schneider, the Nickelodeon executive, was put on blast for placing foot fetish content in children’s shows. Quentin Tarantino also received the same kind of backlash for his iconic foot shots and for promoting actresses to wear flip-flops on set. The rise of the foot fetish also fed into internet culture with memes such as “grippers” and “at first I was like ‘mmm feet’ As A Joke.” As more people became aware of foot fetishes — and the ways certain people with the fetish took advantage of others — many became disgusted by feet themselves.

However, when we police feet — even just for the memes — we police others’ bodies. Like most other body parts, feet are arbitrary. Yet, thanks to the memeification of feet, we feel entitled to shame others for something as natural as wearing flip-flops. No one should be chastised or shamed for wearing clothes and shoes they enjoy. It’s similar to how high schools often prevent students from wearing tank tops for fear of seduction by feminine shoulders. At the end of the day, who is offended by or attracted to my body shouldn’t be my problem.

Policing feet really throws off my energy, and I’m sure it does the same for others. For starters, the idea that feet are inherently ugly and should be covered up is very American. My family is Indian, and in our culture, wearing shoes all the time is actually considered rude, especially in the house. Sandals are the norm, and closed-toed shoes are only worn when doing physical activity. The appreciation for sandals is seen all around the world, from Brazilian Havaianas to German Birkenstocks.

Plus, closed-toed shoes can be uncomfortable for many people, including myself. In the summer, being barefoot prevents me from overheating. Sensory issues can also make wearing socks for long periods of time intolerable. Open-toed shoes, like sandals and flip-flops, are stylish, too. You can wear them to the beach or to just walk around in them. They give a casual vibe without being sporty like sneakers.

While this may seem like a small issue compared to the many challenges that people face, the trend of pressuring people to cover their feet is a dangerous one that can inspire people to feel more comfortable policing bodies. I want to live in a world where everyone can wear the clothes they feel comfortable wearing. Let’s not ruin anyone’s vibe. That includes my own.