PINNACLE March 2016 | Page 6

Many things come to mind when someone says the word “feminism”. One of the most common misconceptions people think of is that all feminists are women who hate men and want to be considered superior to them. This isn’t what feminism is about at all. In a speech given to the UN by actress Emma Watson, she states that, “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.” Feminism is all about gender equality. And it’s not just an issue for women either.

In the same speech, Watson reasons, “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…” She describes how men are also held to preconceived notions of how they should behave. “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... I’ve seen men made fragile and

insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success.” Both men

and women are held to different standards on what’s considered

appropriate for them.

However, feminism works to stop this. Equality for all

doesn’t mean betterment for women only. It doesn’t mean

superiority for women. It means the same rights and

opportunities for everyone. It’s for men, women,

children, minorities, and anyone that doesn’t have

the opportunities they should. “Both men and

women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men

and women should feel free to be strong. It is time

that we all perceive gender on a spectrum, instead of

two sets of opposing ideals.”

Some might wonder why we should listen to a

celebrity, what could she possibly know? In her talk,

Watson reasons, “All I know is that I care about this

problem, and I want to make it better. And, having seen

what I’ve seen, and given the chance, I feel it is my

responsibility to say something… In my nervousness

for this speech and in my moments of doubt, I told

myself firmly, “If not me, who? If not now, when?””

While she may be an actor, she is also someone who

ares about this problem.

We should all follow this example. If not us, then who

will stand up for equality?