Emma Watson gave her speech at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Although the speech was given to UN members, Watson’s speech was directed towards basically everyone. Watson is one of the UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassadors who are tasked with highlighting and drawing attention to key issues on behalf of the United Nations. The most important part of the HeForShe campaign is that it calls women and men to action. Watson’s central message was that gender equality is not just women’s problems. Therefore, she made sure to get men’s attention by shaping her speech to list how gender equality affects men. She talked about how her male friends were unable to express their emotions and how men who suffer from mental illnesses are likely to hide it so that they wouldn’t seem less “macho”. She also calls men to action so that, “their daughters, sisters, and mothers can be free from prejudice but also so that their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human too”. Watson's message was not just for women and men of America. By stating that, "no country in the world can yet say they have achieved gender equality", Watson made her message international.
I think the most important thing to account for when using rhetoric within the gender equality movement is its audience. I think you hit the nail right on the head by saying its both men and women that have to be addressed in order for social change to occur. Having that understanding and finding a way to cater to the whole audience is half of the battle for this cause.
ReplyDeleteI think your observation of how Watson drew men to understand why the feminist movement is important to them as well is accurate. Inclusivity is a key element in her speech.
ReplyDeleteWhile you focused on the broad sense of who the speech appeals to--both men and women around the world-- I think it is important to analyze the specifics as well. Why did Watson give her speech to the United Nations Headquarters in New York? Is it to create a new law? To create a new campaign? To push her own political agenda? Also, why did the UN ask Emma Watson to deliver the speech? Did they think a young popular actress would reach a wider audience? These are key questions to ask when attempting to figure out who the speech appeals to.
ReplyDeleteWatson's very powerful speech employed rhetoric effectively. With her words she was able open the eyes to the whole word on prejudice towards women. Watson clearly makes a call for action with her progressive speech
ReplyDelete