By Maeve Walsh – Staff Writer

Feminism is not a revolutionary concept. For decades women have sought equality through voter rights, property rights, pay equality, and numerous other rights we now take for granted. Given that feminism is a concept deeply ingrained in our nation’s history, it is surprising when a reformer has something so different to say about the topic of feminism that it shakes any previously held conceptions we may have had. During her speech at the UN HeForShe conference, Emma Watson managed to do just that. “When people hear feminism for the most part they unfortunately think of extremists,” says David Mango ’15.

Part of the reason the former Harry Potter actress and Brown University Graduate managed to shake up our notions of feminism was because she addressed the concept of feminism through stereotypes many feminists do not normally acknowledge. In other words, Watson makes the point that while it is okay to question gender-roles and norms, girls still drop out of sports teams as to not appear too manly, and prefer to not identify as feminists at the risk of being “too aggressive…unattractive even.” As Mango stated watching Watson discuss feminism “was empowering” because “hearing about it [feminism] definitely drives the point home.”

Yes, many women have been afforded the same opportunities as men. We had the same classes in school, the same sports teams, the same job selling lemonade on the sidewalk, and the same preference to sugary snacks over vegetables. Watson understands this, but turns the focus of her argument to focus on the gender stereotypes that she says control men and women. In perhaps the most moving piece of her speech, Watson quips “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. If we stop defining each other by what we are not, and start defining ourselves by who we are, we can all be freer, and this is what HeForShe is about. It’s about freedom.” Andrew Watson, ’17, said, “Feminism is really misunderstood in today’s world. It’s unfortunately come to be superiority not equality when it should be the other way around.”

With this seemingly agreeable standpoint in mind, it is hard to believe Watson has encountered a large amount of criticism for her speech. Some Feminists took issue with Watson’s statement claiming men are too imprisoned by gender roles, stating that men do in fact have more freedoms than women. Feminist bloggers, such as The Middle Eastern Feminist, have gained traction in criticizing Watson for her personal portrayal of gender discrimination, arguing her notions of gender inequality related more to “white, privileged women” than women of color in eastern countries. Most notably however, criticism against Watson came in the form of threats to leak nude photos of the actress. These sexual threats against Watson have given more power to her cause if anything, for while intended to discourage they actually embody the gender inequality that she spoke against.

Could Watson have ever pleased everyone? Most likely no, she could not have. But for the time being, while the critics of our world seek a voice for feminism that will never offend anyone, Watson has become a voice for a generation of women and men who want to end gender biases and inequalities for themselves and their loved ones. She tackled an incredibly touchy subject in a way that sought to include rather than exclude. Watson shook up our long held conception of feminism being exclusively for feminists, and invited boys and girls alike to join her in speeding up the current rate of gender equality so in our lifetime, everyone will enjoy the same equal privileges and rights our nation is founded upon.  Thankfully SLU students seem to want to embrace feminism fully on campus, when Madeline Wetterhahn, ’15, was asked if she identified as a feminist she answered “Absolutely” without hesitation.