Why One of the Parkland Teens Was Barefoot on the Cover of Time

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This morning, Time magazine released its latest cover, featuring the Stoneman Douglas High School students of Parkland, Florida, spearheading the #NeverAgain movement. The story centers around Emma González, Cameron Kasky, Alex Wind, David Hogg, and Jaclyn Corin — although Corin is the only one who isn’t wearing shoes.

At first glance, it seems like the choice could be a visual statement. Empty shoes have had a long history of symbolizing death, and last Tuesday, 7,000 pairs of shoes were laid on the lawn of the US Capitol to commemorate children killed by gun violence since Sandy Hook.

But according to the story’s author, Charlotte Alter, the decision wasn’t premeditated. “We just had them wear whatever they wanted,” she tweeted. “She didn’t wear shoes and we didn’t ask her to!”

Jaclyn herself later replied to a tweet praising her “cute little bare feet” with a simple, “Why thank you.”

If anything, it’s a reminder that even though they’re some of our country’s most prominent activists, they’re still regular teens.

You can read Time magazine’s full story about the Parkland, Florida teens and #NeverAgain here.

Update, March 22, 4:06 pm: Corin has tweeted a particularly fun explanation for the choice, writing, “To everyone wondering why I’m not wearing shoes in the cover: I didn’t feel like it - plain and simple. Hippies didn’t wear shoes in the 60’s so I’m just jumping on the bandwagon.”