This week Emma Watson delivered what is already becoming a widely heralded speech on gender equality. Speaking in her role as a UN women's good will ambassador, she was launching the HeforShe campaign in which she extended an invition to men to participate in the feminist movement.
Of course, there will undoubtedly be some who react with cynicism to Watson's speech and her UN role more generally. Indeed, as journalist Marina Hyde has pointed out, celebrity participation in campaigns and charity can often be more distracting than helpful. However, in this case I think such cynicism is both unhelpful and unfounded.
In her speech, Watson spoke nervously but with conviction. She didn't position herself as an expert, but rather as someone who was passionate about gender equality and was using her notoriety to highlight the cause and some of the issues faced by the feminist movement. She acknowledged that many would be wondering what "this Harry Potter girl" had to do with feminism. Indeed, it goes without saying that there are historians, sociologists and gender theorists who could address the issues with more critical depth. However, what Emma Watson delivered was a speech full of truth and common sense, that due to her fame, has reached millions and has got people talking about feminism.
In particular her speech was addressing the destructive and distracting notion that feminism and misandry go hand in hand. Watson stated: "I have realized that fighting for women's rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it 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 the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.'" As such she challenged men to engage in the issue also, stating: "Gender equality is your issue too".
As a self-identified feminist man, I was delighted not only by this speech's content but by the launch of the broader HeforShe campaign. It is very easy as a male proponent of gender equality to feel awkward and uncertain about what one's role in any movement should in fact be. Often male feminists never get any further than a sense of liberal guilt and in turn offer little if anything to the cause. As such, it is extremely helpful when a campaign like HeforShe comes along that provides both permission and means to participate.
Therefore, as a man and more generally as a human, I'd like to formally accept the invitation to join the feminist movement. My hope is that millions of men worldwide will do likewise.
