The horrific series of massacres by snipers in the United States sparked anger and provocative speech, but an image emerged as a symbol stronger than any word: a pair of green sneakers with a heart drawn on the toe.
At a press conference at the White House, the long-barreled Converse on the lap of Brazilian model Camila Alves, the wife of American actor Matthew McConaughey, was used to show the horrors of the massacres in schools across the country and was eventually incorporated into the company. the main image in social networks and protests.
It belonged to 10-year-old Maite Rodriguez, one of the victims of the May 24 shooting at a school in Uvalde. He was disfigured by bullets and shoes were the only way to identify him.
Actor speaks emotionally for more gun restrictions in the US
McConaughey, a native of Uvalde, was touched during his 20-minute speech after meeting with President Joe Biden to talk about the country’s access to gun policy.
He showed the drawings made by the children killed in the massacre – all aged 9-11 – and through tears told their stories and dreams.
Matthew @McConaugheyCamilla’s wife is holding the green high-heeled Converse shoes of one of her victims in Uvalde, TX.
“These are the same green Converse on his feet after he was shot, which turned out to be the only clear evidence that could identify him.” pic.twitter.com/uImP8xutsn
– CSPAN (@cspan) June 7, 2022
Maite’s sneakers, which were on Camila’s lap during the press conference, were shown by McConaughey as she told the girl’s story.
“Maite wore a green Converse high top with a heart drawn on her right toe as she represented her love of nature.”
“These are the same green Converse on his feet that turned out to be the only evidence that could identify him.”
Social media campaign to honor US gunman victim
Maite Rodriguez’s mom, Ana Rodriguez, shared a picture of a pair of green Converse sneakers with a red heart on Facebook.
The text of the painting reads, “We must act now to end gun violence.”
After the actor’s speech at the White House, American users started a spontaneous campaign on social media, asking Converse to rename the classic green Chuck Taylor model in honor of Maite Rodriguez.
One of the posts on Twitter has already received around 70,000 likes and more than 10,000 retweets.
Hey @ConverseHow about renaming your Green Chuck Taylor after Maite Rodriguez? pic.twitter.com/lVVBpchSWF
– Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) June 7, 2022
In other posts, the same user requested that the heart design be added to an update to the shoe model and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to gun control.
Second Addendum: Please give 100% (or more) of the winnings to weapon control.
– Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) 8 June 2022
More people joined the campaign. Some suggest a donation to the city of slaughter.
“I challenge Converse to mass-produce green sneakers with a heart on their right foot and then donate some of the proceeds to Uvalde.”
I challenge.@Converse mass-producing green sneakers with a heart on the right toe and then donating a portion of the proceeds to Uvalde. I will buy the first pair (low cut) by donating to the town. do you have one with me??
— joanne ????️????????????????????????☮️ (@joanneanewday) 8 June 2022
Converse hasn’t spoken up on social media, but under the Pride name, it’s promoting a number of role models that support the LGBTQIA+ cause.
Being involved in a gun control lawsuit could be a risky move for the company’s image, as the gun ownership issue divides the US. Its advocates can provoke boycotts and a negative campaign for the brand.
Some users reported that kids wanted a sneaker like Maite’s, but the model would be sold out in online stores.
My daughter asked me for green Chuck Taylor classics in memory of Maite. #Uvalde, & they are already sold out. Hey @chat maybe consider a “special edition” green highball with a heart on the right toe (and heading towards family or weapon reform)? pic.twitter.com/LvH7Cw2ywc
– Mary (@SuddenlyMary) June 7, 2022
A search of the Amazon online store in the US confirms that it is not easy to find the Chuck Taylor model in green. Not available in all sizes.
The power of an image that becomes a symbol
As the campaign on social media showed, the image of the actor taking the green sneakers to the White House was powerful enough to become a symbol of the gun access reform movement in the United States.
Activist David Hogg, who survived a shooting at a school four years ago, tweeted a picture of the green Converse and a message encouraging people to join a protest on June 11.
11 June We March. pic.twitter.com/JZeJUPPOhh
—David Hogg ☮️ (@davidhogg111) 8 June 2022
Actor advocates responsible gun ownership
Uvalde’s sniper used an AR-15 rifle, a semi-automatic weapon widely used by the military. Its high firepower disfigured many of the victims who had to have their DNA tested to be identified.
Last week, Mathew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves met with several family members of the victims in the Texas city. He spoke about the talks at the press conference at the White House.
“Do you know what each of these parents want, what they want from us? What did each parent mean to me and Camila individually? They want their children’s dreams to continue.”
Check out this photo on Instagram
Despite his talk of harsh restrictions on guns in the US, McConaughey stressed that he was not anti-gun as he was at “Uvalde, where he learned about responsible gun ownership.”
But he said new gun access laws are needed.
Last year, the Texan actor admitted he was considering running for governor, and polls showed him as the favourite.
However, he gave up his political career, saying he would look for other ways to “help the people of Texas.”
However, after his speech about the Uvalde massacre, his name started to circulate as a possible candidate for the US presidency.
He wouldn’t be the first celebrity to leave the cinema to go to the White House. That’s what happened to Ronald Reagan.
If he competes with Donald Trump, there will be a conflict between a figure who positions himself for control and one who is totally in favor of the arms industry and total freedom of access to guns.
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Only time will tell whether the green shoe push will have the power to change the country’s gun ownership policies.
But in the same week as Matthew McConaughey’s speech, another powerful image known for turning the tide of a war into history turned 50.
The photo, popularly dubbed “Napalm Girl,” is a teen record by photographer Nick Út. Phan Thi Kim Phúc became the epitome of the horrors of war, running naked after an attack in Vietnam in 1972.
for lute, Seeing war in person provides a perspective on human life that few can experience. Maybe that’s why your image in Loco It was and still has the capacity to carry the audience to that moment.
In Maite Rodriguez’s green sneakers, McConaughey was able to repeat the photographer’s feat at the White House and on national television.
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source: Noticias
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