These days, feminists have a heck of a lot to fight for and Emma Watson is one of the many female celebrities leading the charge. In fact, aside from Harry Potter, Watson is best known for pioneering the United Nations’ HeForShe campaign, which, as the name implies, urges men to take action and stand up for the rights of their mothers, sisters and daughters.
Recently, Watson has taken a break from delivering speeches at the U.N. to promote her new film, a live-action remake of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. In addition to making the rounds on a press tour, the actress appears on the latest issue of Vanity Fair. In one photo from the Tim Walker-lensed shoot, Watson poses in a sheer lace skirt and Burberry capelet — no bra, no blouse. Parts of her breasts are exposed, but it’s no Bella-Hadid-Dior-corset-dress situation.
[ 10 Reasons Why Emma Watson Is the New Feminist Icon ]
Of course, to some critics, Watson cannot be both partially nude and a feminist. “Feminism, feminism … gender wage gap … why oh why am I not taken seriously … feminism … oh, and here are my tits!” tweeted British radio presenter and commentator Julia Hartley-Brewer. Cue eye roll.
Emma Watson: “Feminism, feminism… gender wage gap… why oh why am I not taken seriously… feminism… oh, and here are my tits!” pic.twitter.com/gb7OvxzRH9
— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) March 1, 2017
To borrow the words of Gloria Steinem, who came to Watson’s defense, “Feminists can wear anything they fucking want.” Nudity is not inherently sexual. Watson’s photo is not a come-on. Men are not slut-shamed for displaying their nipples, much less the area around them. Watson is owning her body, celebrating her form. She looks great. And she shouldn’t have to apologize or comment on that decision. If there’s to be any discussion about Watson’s get-up, it should be whether or not Burberry is making good on its pledge to go eco-friendly by 2020. (Watson is a known advocate of sustainable fashion.)
.@EmmaWatson on the controversy over her almost topless @VanityFair cover shoot. https://t.co/9kNDAV90w6 pic.twitter.com/Bc2b5JuVHE
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 5, 2017
We’ll leave you with these words, from the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador herself: “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 tits have to do with it. It’s very confusing.”
IMAGE: VANITYFAIR.COM
