A few days ago, Emma Watson presented a powerful speech at the UN promoting gender equality around the world. She is thoughtful, well spoken, and persuasive. In response, people have made physical threats of violence toward her and released nude photos.
It is extremely sad to me that we live in a world in which a women using her voice to promote the well being of everyone, results in shame, threats, and abuse. Unfortunately, there are parts of the church, and many religions, that do the same thing. Standing with Emma is standing with the dream of a world where all are treated equal and all can practice equality in every area of life.
Please make sure to watch her speech and to support her with #imforemma
“I’ve seen men made fragile and insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success. Men don’t have the benefits of equality either. We don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes, but I can see that they are. And that when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence. If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don’t have to control, women won’t have to be controlled. Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong.”