In the wake of the second mass celebrity nude photo leak in a month, the NFL’s swan dive into domestic violence scandal and squeals of pathetic, impotent rage from the #gamergate dweebs, Emma Watson graced the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday with her radiant presence to make an important announcement.
Watson attended the meeting to promote HeForShe, the U.N.’s new program dedicated to including men in the struggle for gender equality.
Watson’s speech was monumental. The lofty goal of ending gendered bias and discrimination, she said, must come about through the combined efforts of men and women.
She offered personal testimony about how she and other women she knew growing up have been affected by the stereotypes and expectations thrust upon them.
But she also included men in these stories. Watson explained that stereotypes and expectations of how men should behave are hurtful to them as well. All genders are compelled to live and behave in certain ways, while constantly being judged on how well they hold up to these standards.
Watson talked about her own personal experiences: that she was sexualized by the media at a young age, how her female friends quit their sports teams because they didn’t want to look too athletic and her male friends repressed their feelings for fear of being perceived as feminine.
Watson said this is why she wants to reclaim the word feminism from its status as a pejorative slur, which to so many represents a cover for misandry.
Rather, she correctly stated that women’s rights go hand-in-hand with human rights, and thus, all humans should feel connected to the cause.
To dispel any of the misguided notions that men are unwanted in the feminist movement, Watson extended us a formal invitation to the struggle for gender equality.
Many of feminism’s detractors claim it is a female-supremacist movement that inherently discriminates against men.
This is clearly not the case, but it is important to ensure that feminism continues to embrace and welcome men and women alike.
For the U.N. — the organization that comes closest to representing the entire world population — to establish a campaign encouraging both men and women to participate in the struggle for equal rights is an enormous stride in the right direction.
Although it should not have required heartfelt testimony from a massively popular actress to inspire new discussion at the U.N. about women’s rights, the enthusiasm surrounding the HeForShe campaign is a very big deal.
Along with our own government’s recently announced It’s On Us campaign, HeForShe shows that the movement for gender equality is being supported by our highest institutions. Groups supporting equality are gaining grassroots traction.
From the top-down and bottom-up, the women’s rights movement is achieving progress in all parts of society — equal rights may even be a reality in our lifetime.
If the HeForShe campaign inspires real, meaningful action on this issue, it’s possible that Watson will be remembered for her part in leading the charge more than her role as Hermione.
Unfortunately, not everyone has expressed the support for the women’s rights movement that it deserves.
The issues of domestic violence and sexual assault still rear their ugly heads on a daily basis in America and around the world.
But the equality gap is closing.
When feminism and gender equality are fully embraced by our society’s mainstream leaders and institutions, people all over the world — both men and women — will benefit immensely.
Alec Carver is a UF journalism sophomore. His columns appear on Thursdays.
[A version of this story ran on page 6 on 9/25/2014]
