Have you seen the Emma Watson Speech?

[Sallystyle]

Awesome

www.upworthy.com/her-voice-might-tremble-but-emma-watsons-message-is-strong-and-clear?c=ufb1

I don't know how old it is or anything but it is really good

Yes I can't wait to see men demonstrating demanding equality for women Crotchmaven. And paid paternity leave

ablandanddeadly I think its silly to decrease vocab in that way. Nothing wrong with expressing the fact of gender. It is gender inequality which is deplorable iswyim. But thats only my opinion.

Do you think "fire fighter" and "police officer" are silly?

do you think 'policewoman' is silly?

I think it's unnecessary.

we're silly. its not really worth arguing about. it doesnt matter that much.

Fair enough

I would take my cue from the women themselves - if women in acting are calling themselves actors then that's what I would call them

More discussion and more reflection crotchmaven. I know you're cynical about Upworthy journalism, but I see on Facebook that the discussion is being had. That's a good thing, surely?

I agree with Petula's point that if female actors are calling themselves actors...

Are any men having light bulb moments on fb? Are they going to do anything? Or are we still in chibi's limestone territory?

My brother put it on FB himself, but he's already on board anyway. But he's only 23 and lots of male friends his age obviously

There are supportive comments underneath, nothing really unpleasant, though one that says something along the lines of "beautiful and intelligent, who knew"

*chilbi, in case she's looking. Sorry ;-)

I'd love it if this worked. I'm afraid this stuff doesn't. Men know it should, but they don't change unless they have to. Sorry, but that's history and, sadly, there is no indication that it will be any different in the future.

Why would they? I'm sure I've asked this on this or another thread today. What is in it for men? For an individual man, listening to Emily's speech?

Is there a question of whether the gradual erosion of negative stereotypes is an ambition when lightbulbs are what should be going off? Probably. But there is also a question of whether lightbulbs are feasible. I can't say I've ever had success demanding that someone agree with me; you?

Do people only change when they have to? Are beliefs primarily based on selfishness? If what you are saying is true, how can any of us trust our own opinions?

this is an inspiring speech made by a very bright young woman.

I so hope that by the time by not quite 2 year old is old enough to understand what EW is saying DD can be looking at me with face as the alternative is just too sad.

If it helps at all I teach secondary school pastoral care and huge amounts of time go into addressing stereotypes, consent, accepted norms etc. I believe I have seen a change in the attitudes of young people - the ones I see anyway. Next step is the parents.

No. But equally, do you want change in your lifetime or in that of your great grandchildren? It's not complicated, that's the problem. All it takes is for people to see all other people as human beings. But, clearly, many people have a problem with this.

I'd love to have seen that the softly, softly we're all equal now third wave stuff had made a difference. If you could point out how it has? ffs, even getting a woman on a banknote resulted in a conviction because of actions against.

I really hope Emily's speech achieves forward momentum. You'll never hear me say otherwise.

"Do people only change when they have to? Are beliefs primarily based on selfishness? If what you are saying is true, how can any of us trust our own opinions?"

Is this just a theoretical discussion form you?

Oh, yes, progress :-)

It is a great speech because firstly it addresses the myth one must be a man-hater to be a feminist, a myth that has the effect of excluding many women and men who take this to be true.

Secondly because it has made accessible the idea that women's rights and feminism is not a zero sum game, that men will inevitably lose if women gain. Men stand to gain from equal rights and freedom from stereotypes too.

Thirdly, and this is the uncomfortable bit, that she is probably right when she says it won't be achievable if men are not on board.

Fourthly, it has a brilliant tag line, which comes after a speech that only contains ideas that are hard to disagree with: If not me, who?

I applaud her for probably being quite successful in getting more people on board with feminism, at least for now. I quite happily take the uncomfortable conlicting feeling of pandering to/needing men for granted, for the greater good as it were, for now.