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Andrea Ramirez

English 1302- 01

Professor Moore

19 February 2017

Emmas Uniting Movement

The popular Emma Watson, or best known as Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter

film, truly worked magic as she spoke her heart to several significant and influential officials at

the 2014 United Nations Conference. It was at this moment that Emma Watson got the

opportunity to launch her new campaign regarding gender equality known as He For She (Par.

1). All eyes and ears were on Watson, listening intently while she discussed several issues

pertaining to gender equality and how it is effecting not only woman, but all people around the

world. Throughout her speech, Watson touched on topics such as defining the word feminism,

womens rights worldwide, and the pressures of mens role in society. Throughout her speech,

Emma Watson incorporated repetition, ethos, and logos to help her audience fully understand the

importance of putting an end to gender inequality.

With the use of repetition, Watson was able to insure her message was not just being

heard by her audience, but being understood that gender equality must come to an end. I think it

is right that I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to

make decisions about my own body (Par. 4). Watson continues to use the phrase I think three

more times just in that paragraph alone. Watson is rousing her audience with rights and

opportunities she believes women should rightfully receive like all men around the World

already have. Later in her speech the phrase both men and woman as well as the word free

were repeated multiple times while she discussed the need to stop defining ourselves by who we
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are. Emma goes on to say that both men and woman should feel free (Par. 10). The word free

is such a significant term because Freedom is what Emma is fighting for, and ultimately what her

campaign, He For She, is all about. Lastly, mid speech, Watson asked herself If not me, who?

If not now, when (Par. 12). These questions helped Watson in moments of doubt, and while she

was concluding her speech she revisited those questions asking not herself, but the audience this

time. She wanted them to ask themselves, If not me, who? If not now, when (Par. 13). Watson

left them with a question that would get them thinking on what their part could be in this

movement for gender equality, a worldwide movement that both men and women should partake

in.

Many times Emma Watson used examples of ethos to reassure her audience she was a

credible and reliable source to explain why gender inequality must stop. At the beginning of her

speech, before she gave any facts and evidence, Watson shared she was appointed as Goodwill

Ambassador for UN woman (Par. 1) six months prior to making this speech. Since being chosen

as a Goodwill Ambassador is such an incredible honor, it shows Emma Watson is the perfect

person to pursue this gender equality campaign. Later, Watson begins to share personal life

stories and events that led her to feel that she herself was a so called feminist. It all started when

Watson was eight years old and was called bossy for wanting to direct the plays (Par. 2) that

would be performed for her parents, and went on to say that the boys were never defined as so.

She also shared that at age fourteen she started to be sexualized by certain elements of the

media (Par. 2). With the media being such an influential platform to people everywhere, it is

spreading messages that seem to make inequality normal in society. Continuing with stories from

ages fifteen and eighteen she then realized that something must be done. Emma Watson
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continues her speech completely unbothered by her strong feminist approach, because she wants

to be one of the few that stands up to this issue, and one who can finally make a change.

Throughout her speech, Watson used logos many times to ensure her audience was

receiving accurate and valuable information as to why we should end gender inequality. Emma

Watson recited the definition of feminism early on her speech saying feminism by definition is

the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities (Par. 2). By defining

this term prior to discussing the main points of her message, she is able to educate her listeners

on what exactly feminism is. This key definition will help the audience further grasp the concept

of her campaign He For She, and will guide them in the direction of perusing gender equality

throughout the World. Watson then continues by stating It is the theory of the political,

economic, and social equality of the sexes (Par. 2). This is how feminism can be defined by

reaching out through multiple concepts of liberty for all people. She speaks of multiple instances

throughout her speech on how both men and woman should be given the same treatment in

todays society where it is not seen already. Watson begins to educate her audience on worldly

facts sharing it will take 75 years before woman can expect to be paid the same as men, for the

same work. 15.5 million Girls will be married in the next 16 years as children. Ending with at

current rates it wont be until 2086 before all rural African girls can have a secondary education

(Par. 12). By sharing these statistics it shows how women are being treated unfairly compared to

men across the globe. These are all true, factual statements Watson shares with her audience

which they may have not known already. She is continuously educating her audience throughout

her speech, and informing them on how exactly woman are being treated worldwide.

Emma Watsons United Nations address on gender equality was organized in such a way

that could make any person stop and appreciate what needs to be done about this important issue.
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He For She is a campaign that was publicized with Watsons influential voice and by the use of

repetition, ethos, and logos her audience can get a clear understanding as to what her message is

truly about. Watson uses her words to encourage her listeners to stand up to feminism and to be a

part of her uniting movement. Emma Watson announces that she is inviting you to step

forward and for listeners everywhere to never forget to ask themselves if not me, who? If not

now, when?
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Work Cited

Watson, Emma. Emma Watson - United Nations Speech on Gender Equality - Online Speech

Bank. Emma Watson - United Nations Speech on Gender Equality - Online Speech

Bank, American Rhetoric, 20 Sept. 2014, Accessed 16 Feb. 2017.