The word feminism has always left a dirty taste in my mouth. I’ve always hated the idea of it, even though I didn’t really know much about it. The word seemed uninviting, not to mention the women I saw leading it appeared to be angry and close-minded. I am sure the majority of you agree with me or are a feminist yourself.
However, recently there was something that occurred that changed my mind and it may change yours as well.
The week of September 22th Emma Watson made a speech to the United Nations regarding the topic of feminism through a new campaign she is representing, called HeForShe. As soon as I saw the headline with the word “feminism” in it, I wanted to turn it off, but having Emma as my idol since I was a little kid, I had to watch it. The first minute caught my attention because she pointed out that most people associate the word feminism with man-hating, and that’s exactly what I’ve always thought. I believed there was no reason to hate men for x, y, and z. Emma went to prove my opinions wrong in regards to what feminism actually is.
Douglas Booth
HeForShe is what gave her the opportunity to speak up for gender equality in front of the UN and hopefully change people’s opinions on what it means to be a feminist and how to change how it is viewed. I believe she successfully did this. What this campaign focuses on is how to make gender equality actually happen, not just talking about how it should be changed. What really got me interested in this organization and Emma’s speech was how she defined feminism, “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.” This came as a shock to me. Both genders. What makes this campaign so unique is that it focuses on providing equality for both genders, not just women. I never conceptualized feminism as working to gain equal opportunities for men as well.
Harry Styles
In order to get men on board Emma presented the case from the other side and how men could also benefit from feminism. It brought a whole new light on the topic. Men should be able to express their feelings or stay home to take care of their kids, and not have it as being frowned upon or be seen as being less “strong”. The biggest thing that got my attention from her in regards to men suffering from gender equality was the statistic that suicide is the leading killer in the UK with men from 20 to 49. Suicide. Something that can be preventable is the number one killer of men. This could be easily changed if people worked together to challenge the traditional idea of gender roles.
Matthew Lewis
Living in the United States, I forget how privileged I am to go to school and make the best out of every opportunity that I am given on a daily basis. I forget that as a woman, it is a right to be able to work and make my own decisions. It shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be a natural born right. While I sit in class counting down the minutes for it to end, there are girls that are begging to be in any class to gain any type of education so they can further themselves in the world. It is for girls in the world that are in impoverished areas, or the men that are too afraid to say how they feel that need people like you and me to speak up for gender equality.
Regardless if you choose to associate yourself with the word feminism or not, what matters is the courage behind the idea to stand up for what is right and make something happen rather than just talking about it, for both genders to benefit.
Several male icons are joining the #HeForShe campaign, so you are more than welcome to as well. In the words of Emma Watson, “if not me, who? If not now, when?”