Emma Watson’s UN speech, which triggered a viral hoax that claimed she had nude photos, drew praise from many, including Taylor Swift.
Swift said, “I wish I was 12 years old and i'd been able to watch a video of my favourite actress explaining in such an intellectual, beautiful, poignant way the definition of feminism because I would have understood it and then earlier on in my life i would have proudly claimed that I was a feminist because I would’ve understood what the word means.”
Watson made a speech on feminism and gender equality.
According to BuzzFeed, Swift added: “The one thing I do believe as a feminist is that in order for us to have gender equality we have to stop making it a girl fight and we have to stop being so interested in seeing girls trying to tear each other down – it has to be more about cheering each other on as women.”
Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy, Ed Holtom, wrote a response to the Sunday Telegraph about her speech.
“By using words such as ‘girly’ or ’manly' we inadvertently buy into gender stereotyping,” he said. “We play with toys designed for our gender, we go to segregated schools, we play different sports based on gender, and yet it takes some effort for many people to acknowledge the existence of gender inequality and the injustice it entails for both sexes.”
“If we want equality, it will take more effort than paying women the same as men, or giving women equal opportunities. We must all make an active decision to change our language. We must stop pressuring each other to fit stereotypes which more often than not leaves [sic] us feeling repressed and unable to express ourselves. We must not let gender define us.”
