Emma Watson is not only quite the actress, but a Brown University graduate and a humanitarian. UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson, is in the hot seat for her latest photo in Vanity Fair.
She is photographed wearing a stunning Burberry peek-a-boo number without a bra, and is ultimately criticized for not being a feminist. Apparently, since Ms. Watson was photographed showing off her partially-covered breasts, it undermines her feminist efforts in promoting gender equality. Give me a break, people.
Why, in the 21st century, must women continue to struggle with gender inequality?
Why, in the 21st century, must women fight for a right to express their sexuality the way they choose to?
Interestingly, last year, sometime in October, there was something called “No Bra Day,” a very 1960's style feminist movement. It was a way to bring awareness about the sexualization of women’s bodies, and how it was no longer going to be tolerated.
Ms. Watson told Reuters:
“‘Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick about which to beat other women with.”
Why do women feel the need to judge each other? We really need to praise each other for getting as far as we do with all these obstacles in the way. We, women, are only as strong as our weakest. We need to unify, and ensure that no woman gets left behind. Some women are privileged; the men in their life have never betrayed them, have never made them feel like second class citizens. However, other women have experienced betrayal from their fathers, lovers, etc. They have been made to feel like a second-class citizen. Those, especially, are the ones we need to ensure succeed; no female should ever feel like she is not good enough to pursue what is in her heart. No daughter should be raised in a matter which encourages her to think that she is not good enough.
I don’t believe in white feminism, black feminism, I believe in feminism, period. I believe every woman on this planet has their own definition of what they believe “feminine” looks like, acts like, and even sounds like. Therefore, feminism is hard to define. Ms. Watson explains to Reuters that, “It’s about freedom, it’s about liberation, it’s about equality.” Some females I spoke to recently think that Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys or Beyoncé are the epitome of feminism, whereas I believe that there is NO epitome of femininity or feminism. How can we encompass all the variations of super women in the world into one person? Impossible. Each of them bring something unique to the table.
Ironically, when I was about three or four, I loved Snow White. And, I remember thinking that I loved her so much because we looked alike and because we both loved to sing. Then, a couple years later, I watched the Disney movie Aladdin. Princess Jasmine and I had long hair, and the fact that she had on a light blue pants outfit, made me love her more. She was the only one of the princesses who wore pants, and I hated to wear dresses. I admired her long silky hair, and how she was humble and kind, and had a cool pet tiger named, Raja. As I got older, I realized that I can like Snow White, I can like Princess Jasmine, but also like Batman and Transformers. But, no one ever bought me Batman or Transformers toys, despite having asked for them. And, I understood why, but I still thought it was unfair, not giving me the choice to play with what I wanted to. So, I waited until I interacted with boys, and ended up playing with their Batman and Transformers toys. Having regular access to Batman and Transformers toys, because eventually I only hung out with boys as a kid, did not impact my sexual orientation or preference. So, for those ignorant people out there, who think individuals turn gay, I am a female, who still likes Batman and Transformers, and I am very much attracted to men.
Feminism, is doing what you want to do as a woman. If you want to show off and cater to your man, if that is your idea of feminism, then do it. If you want to be a grease monkey and work on cars, then do that! If you want to be a college graduate and join the work force, versus getting married and having babies, so be it! If you want to share your lovely lady lumps with the rest of the world, then great, if not, then that is great too. It is essentially about the choice to do what you see fit, AS A WOMAN. If a man chooses to have a different lover every night of the week, he’s THE man. A pimp. If a woman chooses to have a different lover every night of the week, she is automatically discredited as a woman and transforms into a whore. She cannot like sex, or enjoy sex, nope. If she does, she is a whore.
Females: Do we not put up with enough as it is? Women need to start realizing that the sizing each other up motif is getting old, and it solidifies the very inequalities in society we are trying to change! Feminism, femininity etc. is entirely subjective and unique to each woman. There is NO golden standard. Live and let live!
Ms. Watson could not have said it any better, “I really don’t know what my tits have to do with [feminism]. It’s very confusing.”
