04 Feb If not now, then when?
I’m not sure if she was quite as nervous as she seemed, but Emma Watson delivered a brilliant speech to the United Nations last year. Her purpose was to launch ‘Heforshe’ a campaign to get men involved in the woman’s movement.
It is not a NEW concept, but it IS a very relevant one. Women are aware that we need to remove the image of ‘anger’ from the word ‘feminism’, and equally importantly, we must begin to see gender inequality as a human rights issue, not a woman’s right issue.
HeforShe is an opportunity to raise awareness and bring these ideas to a global platform.
Celebrities at the forefront of world issues seems to be a major trend these days (Posh on AIDS, ANGELINA on rape in war). It is an easy way to get the headlines. Emma Watson is the celebrity voice that fronted the HeForShe movement….AND THAT IS COOL WITH ME, as long as the movement becomes more prevalent and powerful as a result. Emma stood up to speak for an issue that she believed in, she spoke for gender equality and by doing so, she has helped the global woman’s movement enormously.
Towards the end of her speech, Emma addressed what she knew everyone was thinking: Being a celebrity hardly gives her the credibility to speak to some of the most important world leaders of our time. She addresses that scepticism head-on as she asks the questions;
- If not me, then who?
- If not now, then when?
Indeed!
Watch Emma Watson’s speech to the UN here: http://youtu.be/p-iFl4qhBsE
You do not have to be a celebrity, you do not have to be a world expert to speak about an issue that you believe in. You are a human being, and you have the right to speak.
If we don’t speak to try and right the wrongs in our life, then who will?
If we don’t do it now, then when will be get around to doing so?
Lets Talk….
JT