This weekend, Emma Watson made a speech at the U.N.’s #HeForShe campaign event, encouraging men to join the crusade and support feminism by fighting alongside women for equal rights. In her speech, she put it to men to consider gender inequality as a problem not just affecting women, but men as well.
“I’ve seen my father’s role as a parent being valued less by society,” she said. “I’ve seen young men suffering from mental illness, unable to ask for help for fear it would make them less of a man. I’ve seen men made fragile and insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success. Men don’t have the benefits of equality, either. We don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes, but I can see that they are. And that when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence. If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don’t have to control, women won’t have to be controlled.”
Her speech sent shock waves around the Internet. Though the idea that the patriarchy also oppresses men is a basic tenant of modern feminism, hearing it from an actress certainly made an impression on people, including members of the fashion set. The aftermath of the speech was met with tons of fawning and praise toward Ms. Watson, whose talk was described by Vanity Fair as “game-changing.”
Below, fashion people and celebrities react to the speech.
Sara Ziff:
Moving speech by @EmWatson: http://t.co/8VdUrDJuBZ Her comment re: being sexualized by media at 14 yrs old resonates w/ me. #HeForShe
— Sara Ziff (@saraziff) September 23, 2014
Ireland Baldwin:
@EmWatson is so brilliant. huge inspiration for our generation.
— Ireland (@IrelandBBaldwin) September 23, 2014
Fug Girls:
ICYMI: @EmWatson is simply the best: http://t.co/RKrbhEW71f
— Heather & Jessica (@fuggirls) September 22, 2014
Rashida Jones:
The need for gender equality & the REAL meaning of feminism, beautifully articulated by @EmWatson : http://t.co/5vkm6z2bqz #HeForShe
— Rashida Jones (@iamrashidajones) September 22, 2014
Lori Goldstein:
WATCH Emma Watson gives feminism new life http://t.co/RzMgBfD7BT
— Lori Goldstein (@lori_goldstein) September 23, 2014
Kate Bosworth:
Powerful @EmWatson #HeForShe http://t.co/cJgmMD6OSc
— Kate Bosworth (@katebosworth) September 23, 2014
Nigel Barker:
Get up, stand up and lift up! Join me please at http://t.co/Wcg8EVlr0M @heforshe @GirlUp @UN_Women #HeForShe pic.twitter.com/aRkFWFI2zq
— Nigel Barker (@NigelBarker) September 22, 2014
Camilla Belle:
Goosebumps @EmWatson . What a profound speech at the United Nations.
— Camilla Belle (@CamillaBelle) September 23, 2014
Prabal Gurung:
Maura Brannigan:
I could watch @EmWatson‘s #HeForShe speech every damn day for the rest of my life and it wouldn’t be enough: http://t.co/fy19JOclYK
— Maura Brannigan (@maura_brannigan) September 22, 2014
Derek Blasberg:
Woop, woop, go Watson! The forever impressive @EmWatson speaking at the UN’s #heforshe gender equality campaign… pic.twitter.com/ydJiY9ErDv
— Derek Blasberg (@DerekBlasberg) September 20, 2014
[h/t Rappler]