Along with the rest of the world I first came across Emma Watson in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone where she played Hermione Granger. Of the three main characters I remember attaching more to Hermione more than the others. I guess this was a carry forward from the books but she struck a chord.
Over the years I watched her through the Harry Potter series and to a large extent wrote her off like I do most child artists. I usually expect child artists to grow up and become snooty mediocre actors. But Emma Watson proved me wrong.
Her choice of movies after Harry Potter had me sit up and notice her as a an intelligent woman. (If you haven’t seen 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower’, you should.) Her life off the screen had me in awe as she studied and followed the dreams she had before and outside of Harry Potter. She did get blinded by Hollywood.
Then I came across this… Her speech at the UN when introducing the HeForShe Campaign. It isn’t just the campaign that is beautiful, as I listen to her talk and I realise that here is a woman to reckon with, a girl who has grown up into a woman who knows she has the power to be heard and uses it to change the world.
The word ‘feminist’ has become a negative one in the last few years, a word most women do not want to associate with. Emma in her speech made me proud of being a feminist by reminding me of all it means and all that it isn’t. Kudos Miss Watson for reminding me that I'm a feminist and proud!
http://youtu.be/gkjW9PZBRfk
This video is an excellent follow to the video I shared earlier about gender policing and the work the organisation No Country for Women is doing. Emma Watson is the UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador and will advocate for the UN Women’s HeForShe campaign in promoting gender equality.
Here’s what she had to say about her about her appointment.
“Being asked to serve as UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador is truly humbling. The chance to make a real difference is not an opportunity that everyone is given and is one I have no intention of taking lightly. Women’s rights are something so inextricably linked with who I am, so deeply personal and rooted in my life that I can’t imagine an opportunity more exciting. I still have so much to learn, but as I progress I hope to bring more of my individual knowledge, experience and awareness to this role.”
What do you think of Emma Watson's speech? The HeForShe campaign?
0 comments:
Post a Comment