In ASTU class (A writing course at the University of British Columbia) we have begun reading Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi which embodies a prominent theme of feminism and gender inequality. Although this book takes place in the 1980s, it brings to light that the issue of gender inequality has been around for decades and still, unfortunately, exists today.
I was extending my procrastination on Facebook when I noticed someone had shared a speech made by Emma Watson (famously known by her character Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series). Out of boredom and an affinity for Harry Potter, I clicked the link and watched. 13 minutes later, there I sat, dumfounded and completely inspired. Her speech was unquestionably powerful and unexpectedly moving. Focusing on gender inequality, she reaches out to men in particular with the “He for She” campaign. The goal of this campaign is to once-and-for-all eliminate this issue. Watson states that “No country in the world can say that they have achieved gender equality.”
From a personal standpoint, I know what it is like to be objectified as a woman. Even in our so-called “open minded” and “liberal” society women are still seen as sluts for wearing low-cut tops or short shorts. Even yoga pants, which are very popular here in Vancouver, are seen as “sexy” due to the fact they are tight. In Persepolis, women are forced to wear veils and completely cover their bodies in order to conceal any signs of sexuality. Similarly, in high school we had a dress code for girls and if we disobeyed this code we had to wear the “skirt of shame.” But why should we be forced into thinking that the way we dress has a direct impact on men? Why can’t we just dress however we want? Why should we dress for anyone other than ourselves?
As a Canadian I see it as ludicrous for a country or any kind of community to tell women what they can and can not do.
However, we are not much better off. The issue of gender equality goes way beyond border lines and actually revolves around women on a global scale.
As Westerners we are often seen as (often by less “liberal” countries) being more advanced and open-minded. We are often idolized and envied by other cultures. In Persepolis, Satrapi goes through a Western-influenced, rebellious teenage phase. She wears Nikes and listens to Michael Jackson and provokingly shows some hair. But why should anyone idolize the West?
If Western culture has such an immense impact on the rest of the world, why don’t we start the domino effect? No country has reached gender quality, but why don’t we start? After all, isn’t that what it means to be a global citizen? To see everyone as your equal and eliminate the stereotypes and discriminations? To reach out to others globally? I leave you with the closing lines from Emma Watson’s speech: “If not me, who? If not now, when?”
He for She Campaign Website: http://www.heforshe.org/
Emma Watson’s United Nations Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-iFl4qhBsE
There is, unfortunately, an attack being made on Emma Watson in response to this speech. An unidentified group of internet hackers have threatened to expose “sexual” images of Emma Watson. This group does not agree with her campaign and state that “feminism is a growing cancer.” Full article here: http://www.vox.com/2014/9/23/6832243/the-sexual-threats-against-emma-watson-are-an-attack-on-women
Great post, I loved Emma Watson’s speech. The virulent attack against her just solidifies the fact that we still need feminism – and not just feminism, but inter-sectional feminisn. Women speaking out about sexism is not an act of sexism. Sexism describes institutional inequality that benefits some groups over others. It requires social power, which men collectively hold, even if they don’t want to acknowledge these structural benefits, and the insistence from the groups attacking poor Emma that feminism is a “cancer” just proves that (some) men don’t want to acknowledge or lose the power they hold in society. #StandWithEmma!!