Opinion: 'No, Katy Perry's 'blackface' shoes aren't racist'

Katy Perry performs onstage during 102.7 KIIS FM's 2017 Wango Tango at StubHub Center on May 13, 2017 in Carson, California. Photo / Getty Images

Another day, another blaze of unnecessary outrage. We really need to learn not to listen to people who have nothing better to do than critique the world on an hourly basis.

People accused Katy Perry's shoes and handbag line of being racist. That is, two pairs of shoes resembled blackface.

The two offending products — Rue Face Slip On Loafers and Ora Face Block Heel Sandals — are being pulled from shelves. Because, priorities.

The loafers were available in black and light beige. Heeled sandals were available in black and gold.

It was the bejewelled features of bright-red lips on the black that caused offence. Except they didn't cause offence did they? Shoes can't be racist. Aforementioned people with too much time on their hands chose to take offence.

One person tweeted, " … has Katy Perry made a blackface shoe?" The answer is no.

Katy Perry's Rue Face Slip On Loafers. Photo / Supplied

Another tweeted, "Never thought I'd see a shoe in blackface but Katy Perry's managed it." The reply is, no she hasn't.

But, of course, a few tweets create a storm and before you know it products are being pulled from shelves.

These far left, over-opinionated screechers have zero interest in contributing anything positive to society. They are time-wasters. We, as an entire society, are wasting time every time we give them time.

We are not helping address real challenges in society when we focus on shoes.

We are not creating employment opportunities.

We are not alleviating suffering, addressing economic disadvantages or helping the vulnerable.

If you don't like the shoes, vote with your feet and walk out of the store. Learn to manage your own anger rather than tipping fury into the parallel universe of social media and causing a domino effect of trouble in the real world.

This latest whirlwind of outrage comes just days after Gucci apologised for a balaclava sweater that people accused of looking like blackface. The only thing that was outrageous about that was that it cost $900.

That came hot on the heels of Kerri-Anne-Kennerley's clash with Yumi Styles on Studio 10.

And that came just after the race row over Australia Day.

Truth is, some people are troublemakers. They do not have good intentions; they just have very loud voices and a bloated sense of entitlement.

Perhaps if we saved our energy, stop whinging about shoes and started actually focusing on the injustices that people continue to face each and every day, we may actually begin to create a better society?

I'm sick of being lectured about "white privilege" or being told I should feel "white guilt".

I'm tired of shoes sparking outrage and giving people yet another excuse to start talking about having "the tool kit for these types of discussion".

You don't like the shoes? Don't buy the shoes. It's called choice.

Ultimately, it is up to each and every one of us to look at the person in the mirror and ask if they can do better.

Wake up: Stop complaining about shoes and start contributing something positive.