Just when we thought Emma Watson couldn’t be any more perfect, she made a speech in front of the UN on Saturday about Feminism and the HeForShe campaign. First of all, if you haven’t watched it, do so. Like, right now.
Emma Watson was named a goodwill ambassador for U.N. Women six months ago. This speech introduced the HeForShe campaign, which is centered on getting men and boys to take note of gender equality and realize that feminism isn’t just for and by females; it’s for everyone.
Watson starts out this speech talking about the word feminism, and how it’s been linked to “man-hating”. She squashed these misconceptions right away. She notes how feminism has turned into a bad word and something to steer clear of. Feminism is by definition, “The theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes,” she states. This definition is what has been lost over the years; leading people to think feminism is the same thing as misandry.
She goes on to talk about why she is a feminist, what makes people think feminists are “too strong, too aggressive, isolating and anti-men — Unattractive, even,” and how feminism is not just about females. She touches on all of the key points such like equal pay for women, equal education for young girls in third-world countries, and the role of “inadvertent feminists” (AKA people who are automatically treating women as equal human beings) (AKA people with amazing brains).
One of the best parts of Emma Watson’s speech was the part where she formally invited men to be a part of the feminist movement. “Gender equality is your issue, too,” she stated. “Men don’t have the benefits of equality either.” For a very long time, men have been expected to live inside this box of masculinity and toughness. At the moment a man steps out of this box and shows some kind of emotion or sentimentality, he is judged. Ms. Watson tells us that in the U.K., suicide is the biggest killer of men between 20 and 49.
The whole point of the HeForShe campaign is to get men involved in gender equality. “We don’t want to talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes,” Watson tells us. “When they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence… If men don’t need to control, women won’t have to be controlled.”
Watson’s stance on the subject of gender equality is so fresh and beautiful that by the end of her speech you will have a new lust for life and making the world as fair and equal as it can be. It’s 2014, people. The 19th amendment gave women the right to vote in 1919. For years women fought tirelessly for this basic human right. It’s time we do the same for gender equality. Women are still not treated as equal humans and that is unacceptable. I believe – no, I know, that as a whole, we as people and members of this world can make a difference.
Sure, people make amazing and groundbreaking speeches about feminism all the time. The wonderful thing about Emma’s speech is that she is using her star power to change the world. She’s not out rolling around drunk, on drugs, twerking, and using her fame as a way to get attention for herself. She is using her power of the press and of face to change the world. For that, Emma Watson, we as a whole are eternally grateful.
If you are interested in the U.N.’s work towards equal rights for women, I encourage you to go to http://www.unwomen.org/en and http://www.heforshe.org. One of the best ways to change the world is to stay informed and to inform others. I challenge you all to learn and, as Gandhi said, “be the change you wish to see in the world.”