Emma Watson has been vocal throughout her career about feminism, amongst other topics. While a lot of people praise her for standing up and speaking out, she also faces a ton of criticism. However, in a very Hermione Granger manner, Emma Watson refuses to ignore the injustices of the world.

Emma Watson

Owing to her taking a stand, Emma Watson has been called out many times by many people. For example, she faced a lot of criticism for a photo shoot back in 2017. Why? Well, in one of the photographs, Emma Watson was seen topless with a white shawl barely covering her br**sts. People, including women, criticized the actress for showing off her body despite singing songs about feminism. Here’s how she responded to the hate.

Emma Watson Responds to Backlash

Emma Watson’s shoot for Vanity Fair

In 2017, Emma Watson was photographed for Vanity Fair and the photo shoot was met with a lot of raised eyebrows from people. As Watson rocked a white shawl around her shoulders, she was criticized for putting her body on display. A female radio host tweeted the said photograph and implied that this is why Watson is not taken seriously.

Watson was not unaware of the negativity surrounding the photo shoot in the name of feminism. She talked to Reuters about the situation stating that the basis of feminism was a woman’s choice.

“It just always reveals to me how many misconceptions and what a misunderstanding there is about what feminism is. Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with. It’s about freedom, it’s about liberation, it’s about equality. I really don’t know what my t*ts have to do with it. It’s very confusing. I’m confused. Most people are confused. No, I’m just always quietly stunned.”

Different people have different opinions when the topic of the debate is feminism. Despite the backlash, Watson still hasn’t stopped being a vocal advocate for women’s rights, and more power to her for that!

Emma Watson Says Feminism is not about Hating Men

UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson

As the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Watson took center stage at an event for the HeForShe campaign. In her speech, she pointed out the fact that most people believe that hating men is the foundation of feminism. She does not agree.

“I was appointed 6 months ago and the more I have spoken about feminism the more I have realised that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop…I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism had become an unpopular word.”

She stated that while people might still dislike the word “feminism,” what is important is that they understand the “meaning and ambition” behind it. Watson gave Hilary Clinton’s example stating that the speech she delivered in 1995 about women’s rights is still valid today. She continued that since 1995, there are still many basic rights left undelivered.