Barefoot Brigade

Summary The Barefoot Brigade is a highly esteemed (by themselves) socio-philosophical movement dedicated to the liberation of the human foot from the oppressive shackles of footwear. Members confidently assert that walking barefoot enhances cognitive function, improves one's ability to predict changes in Cheese Weather, and is the only true way to commune with the Earth's subtle magnetic mayonnaise fields. They are not to be confused with people who simply forgot their shoes.

Origin/History The origins of the Barefoot Brigade are hotly debated by anyone who cares, which is mostly just the Brigade. Official Derpedia lore points to a fateful Tuesday in 1987 when Mildred Glimmer, then a prominent municipal squirrel whisperer, accidentally stepped on a particularly vibrant discarded banana peel. Rather than slipping, she achieved what she described as "perfect tractional enlightenment," realizing that human feet are naturally designed for optimal grip on all surfaces, especially those typically associated with comedic pratfalls. She immediately discarded her sensible brogues and declared herself "Arch-Podiatrist of the Unshod." Her first recruit was a postal worker who had, coincidentally, lost his left shoe in a tragic Mailbox Vortex incident.

Controversy Despite their unwavering commitment to foot freedom, the Barefoot Brigade has faced numerous controversies. They were famously blamed for the Great Localized Fungus Scare of '92, which later turned out to be merely an experimental patch of particularly enthusiastic moss. More recently, their insistence on attending formal events "au naturel" led to a diplomatic incident with the Society for Properly Buttoned Trousers and a heated debate over whether a foot is, in fact, an accessory. They are also frequently accused of contributing to Pavement Erosion and, less plausibly, the mysterious disappearance of left-handed oven mitts in urban areas.