Emma Watson's Speech on Gender Equality at the UN
(an excerpt)
"I was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women 6 months ago. The more I spoke about feminism, the more I realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain is that this has to stop. For the record, feminism by definition is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.
When I was 8, I was called bossy because I wanted to direct a play we would put on for our parents. When at 14, I started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media. At 15, my girlfriends started dropping out of sports teams because they didn’t want to appear masculine. At 18, my male friends were unable to express their feelings.
I decided that I was a feminist. This seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists. Apparently, [women’s expression is] seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, and anti-men, unattractive even…
Men, I would like to give this opportunity to extend your formal invitation.
Gender equality is your issue, too. Because to date, I’ve seen my father’s role as a parent being valued less by society. I’ve seen young men suffering from mental illness, unable to ask for help for fear it would make them less of a man. In fact, in the UK, suicide is the biggest killer of men between 20 to 49, eclipsing road accidents, cancer, and heart disease. I’ve seen men fragile and insecure by what constitutes male success. Men don’t have the benefits of equality, either...
If you believe in equality, you might be one of the inadvertent feminists I spoke of earlier and for this I applaud you. We must strive for a united world but the good news is we have a platform. It is called HeForShe. I invite you to step forward, to be seen and I ask yourself: if not me, who? If not now, when? Thank you."
SHARING YOUR VIEWS. Based on the excerpt that you have read from activity 2, share your views on the following questions:
1. What part of the excerpt do you agree? Give reasons.
2. What part of the excerpt do you disagree? Give reasons
3. Is the excerpt credible or not credible? Why? Justify your reasons.
