Entertainment
9 of Emma Watson's Best Feminist Quotes
It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Emma Watson has seamlessly become a powerful face of feminism. Her career-making role as the Harry Potter franchise's resident badass feminist, Hermione Granger, was the earliest sign that Watson was headed for greatness. So, it came as no surprise to me when the actress (and one of my personal role models and dream BFFs) was named a goodwill ambassador for U.N. Women or that, on Saturday, Emma Watson gave a powerhouse speech about her HeforShe Campaign. Because, well, this wasn't her first time at the feminist rodeo.
Watson's identified as a feminist for a long time and she's not afraid to say it. And when she took to the U.N. floor, she was confident in what she had to say. What makes it all the more powerful that she's a high-profile young woman in Hollywood with such clear, concise, and strong opinions to contribute to the conversation about feminism, gender equality, and how the world should tackle the issues surrounding these ideas. I could go on praising Emma Watson all day for these powerful quotes from her speech and just for being an awesome human being. But instead, here are nine of Watson's best feminist quotes because she's been speaking the truth since before her amazing speech.
When She Was Real About Feminism & Romance
I’m a feminist, but I think that romance has been taken away a bit for my generation. I think what people connect with in novels is this idea of an overpowering, encompassing love — and it being more important and special than anything and everything else.
When She Responded To The Current Celebrity Nude Photo Scandal
On Defying Gender Norms
While on the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 press tour:
You know, I feel like young girls are told that they have to be this kind of princess and be all delicate and fragile, and it’s bullshit. I identified much more with the idea of being a warrior, and being a fighter… I think women are scared of feeling powerful and strong and brave, and I think that’s something they’ve got to embrace.
When She Compared Herself to Hermione Granger
Also while doing press for Deathly Hallows : Part 2 in 2011:
I’m a bit of a feminist in the same way that she is. I will speak my mind.
This Tweet On Gender Equality
When She Challenged Beyoncé's Feminism
Discussing feminism and Beyoncé with Tavi Gevinson for Wonderland Mag:
As I was watching [the videos] I felt very conflicted, I felt her message felt very conflicted in the sense that on the one hand she is putting herself in a category of a feminist, but then the camera, it felt very male, such a male voyeuristic experience of her.
When She DGAF About What Men Thought About Her Hair
To Glamour for her cover story in 2012:
If I had it my way, I would have just kept it short forever. Of course, men like long hair. There's no two ways about it. The majority of the boys around me were like, "Why did you do that? That's such an error." And I was like, "Well, honestly, I don't really care what you think!" I've never felt so confident as I did with short hair — I felt really good in my own skin.
Her Response To This Potter Fan
On What The Important Part Of Feminism Is
We need more of those and if you still hate the word, it is not the word that is important. It's the idea and the ambition behind it.
Images: Getty Images (5), Warner Bros.
