A Jacksonville high school student is hoping to bring attention to the city’s high murder rate with The Golden Shoes Project. It’s a series of installations of gold-painted shoes meant to commemorate lives lost to violence.
Stanton High School sophomore Jack Lagoy says the intent is to stop the violence.
“What we really want to do is to spread awareness about the size and the damage that murder does to Jacksonville, and we want to unite the community 'cause we have a very diverse community. Our ultimate goal is to spread peace throughout Jacksonville," he says.
Puerto Rico native Kazandra Santana created the project in 2012 after a friend was murdered. At the time, Puerto Rico was also experiencing a high murder rate. The shoes help people visualize the quantity of lives lost. The project uses shoes because shoes connect us to the earth and the color gold to represent the value of human life. Golden Shoes installations have since appeared in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Now Lagoy is overseeing the Jacksonville installation after 122 homicides in 2015. He says Jacksonville’s project is slightly different than past projects because victim’s friends can participate. Before, the painting of shoes was limited to victim’s family. Lagoy says shoes will be displayed all around Jacksonville. He hopes to get them displayed in time for the city's Victim Awareness Week in April.
Lagoy will be be collecting shoes at downtown’s Art Walk this Wednesday at the corner of Laura and Monroe streets. He’s also asking for donations of gold spray paint, gloves and water for volunteers.
To find out how to get involved or donate visit the Golden Shoes Project's website.
