Heels Don't Stop Girls From Dreaming, Social Stereotypes Do

The video of a Mizoram girl juggling a football in heels has gone viral on social media as a testament to the idea that sartorial choices don't and shouldn't be perceived as barriers to dreams. . The easy proficiency with which Cindy Remruatpuii keeps her balance on heels and the ball from touching the floor iterates so much about gender stereotypes, but chiefly that fashion and aspiration are not mutually exclusive.

In a society bent on keeping its patriarchal gender-power structure intact, women and girls are always directed towards 'proper ways of being.' This rule book is extensive but its fundamental theory is this: women aren't capable of everything. Living life within pre-decided stereotypes is just about the only way to live life.

'If you're passionate about fashion and heels and other such trappings, then you're probably too 'dumb' to understand sport. And if you're into sport, then you're likely to be masculine or, at the very least, a 'tomboy.' How can you be both?'

But can't we? Must the male gaze dictate what goes and what doesn't?

Robert Romawia Royte, Minister of Sports and Youth Services Mizoram, shared the video on Twitter June 3, amplifying Remruatpuii into national attention. About the video, the 14-year-old schoolgoing girl said in an interview, "I wanted to try it in a different way so that I might inspire people to do the same. Also, I wanted to show that everyone can play football whether it is a girl or a boy."

A talented young female football enthusiast Cindy Remruatpuii from my constituency #AizawlEastII playing ball with pencil heel and showing 'How its done'. Football is not just for the boys, its for everyone! #ShePower #IndianFootballForwardTogether pic.twitter.com/1wHfoGwVtL

— Robert Romawia Royte (@robertroyte) June 3, 2021

Football In Heels: Girls Are Showing It Can Be Done, But Are We Listening?

Girls are dreaming of big things today - of lives beyond labels, of achievements that meld polar-looking interests. Like sports and fashion. But how far are we accepting them? Are we being able to rid ourselves of prejudiced notions? Can social beliefs transform as long as people are raised on unhealthy diets of trite cliches and sexist narratives?

Remember Anjali from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? She could only defeat Rahul at basketball as long as she dressed like one of the boys. 'Hum ladko jaisi,' he called her. But once she underwent her Mia Thermopolis transition into a saree-wearing, jewellery-decked, to-be-married, long-haired damsel, it seems she was stripped of her ability to win on the court; as if in justification of that annoying kid who said pre-game, "Ladkiyaan basketball nahi khel sakti."

In sarees, in heels, in ripped jeans, however, women prove everyday lies no hindrance. This woman did pushups in a saree, this one performed backflips, and this one hula-hooped. Where's the impossibility?

Heels: a patriarchal innovation or an empowering tool? A choice for women to make 

Of course, heels are in part a dress item that caters to and fuels the male gaze, and as all such artefacts do, come at the cost of the wearer's comfort. Luxury shoe king Christian Louboutin says he doesn't think about comfort when designing his shoes. "The important thing is that people say: 'Wow, they're beautiful!"

As the discourse on feminism progresses, a big question mark always stamps the validity of items associated with women that have patriarchal histories. But the choice for use is for women to make. The underlining factor is choice. Then if a woman picks out sneakers or heels to play football.

Views expressed are the author's own.