Many of you are aware that I am a card carrying member of the ACLU (American Crocs Liberty Union) and have defended Crocs and Croc-wearers in the past here on my soap box that I call a blog. Recently I've been compelled to elaborate on this matter further. If you are new to this thread and before you put your foot in your mouth with comments about how I am "teh stupid," please read my previous (Part 1) thoughts on this issue first. Otherwise, lets jump right into it with our Croc wearing feet:
So I'm aware that hating on Crocs is as popular as Crocs are unpopular. Everyone walks all over them and treat Crocs like the perennial whipping boy of footwear. And yet like all persecuted revolutionary movements Crocs manage to maintain a loyal following of revolutionary freedom feetdom fighters, if you will. Revolutionary radical groups rally and form around certain nonnormative principles and theories, just like the way Crocs (ergonomically) conform around one's feet and envelopes it in, not ideology, but biodegradable rubber. Croc proponents happen to rally around the seemingly non-radical principles of practicality, comfort, and as you'll soon see, versatility: ideals that certainly cause less violence than other revolutionary concepts, and in fact, as podiatrists will testify to, accomplishes more good than harm. I personally think that is quite a "feet" to be applauded rather than stomped on. Nonetheless there are those who continue to hold animus towards crocs, such as the usually perceptive Ms. Simko who states, "Try as I might, I just don’t understand the cult following of Crocs."
Cult? Peoples Temple was a cult. Branch Dividian was a cult. The Manson Family was a cult. Alcoholics Anonymous IS a cult (it's true). Crocs wearers are merely slaves of utility and air circulation. And unlike cults which are narrow minded and exclusionary, Crocs embrace all lifestyles and people from all "walks" of life. In addition to its benefits I've previously highlighted, Crocs are also versatile as demonstrated by this photo sent to me by Randy. Crocs also come in a business casual appropriate black color. My creative director was on to something after all.
If all this makes Crocs a cult, then I'm drinking that Kool Aid.
"But what about appearance?" asks Ms. Simko and others. "Doesn't that rank??"
I thought this line of argument was addressed and resolved with the age of minimalism where the philosophy of "less is more" and the concept of multi-functionality dominated. Clearly Crocs represent the culmination or apex of that legacy. Surely in the 21st century this isn't a radical notion.
I'm not asking you to run out today and buy Crocs. Change can be difficult. All I ask is that before you judge, try first walking in their Croc wearing feet. Someday progress against anti-Crocism will be measured in "feet" rather than inches and will be eventually defeeted and erased. That is my dream.
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Don't forget to check out this video of Water Buffalos versus Lions versus Crocs.
[Take a shot for every pun intended and unintended you find in this entry. You should be soundly drunk by the end.]