J. Countess/Getty ImagesEmma Watson, a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations, made a call for gender equality in a recent speech for the HeForShe campaign in New York, and while her efforts are beyond respectable, one writer used it as an opportunity to bully the star.
Her captivating speech challenged universities to provide "equal respect, leadership and pay" in order to "tell women that their brain power is valued." She also encouraged universities to "make it clear" that the safety of women (as well as minorities and anyone who may be vulnerable) is "a right and not a privilege."
While the speech was yet another applause-worthy move by the actress to promote gender equality and women's rights, The Sun used it as a means to make fun of her.
Offered without comment - The Sun's response to Emma Watson addressing the UN about gender equality and sexual assault pic.twitter.com/KQ0MPSJGbL
— Louise Ridley (@LouiseRidley) September 23, 2016
In a clip from the publication (which was captured by Louise Ridley and posted on Twitter), the writer, Rod Liddle, condemns Watson for her boring "whining, leftie, PC crap," which he says "all actresses do if we are stupid enough to give them the chance."
Liddle, instead, suggests "Hermione Granger" should "stick to telling [people] the rules of quidditch or how to turn someone into a frog."
Though he says he doesn't object to "them" (them, meaning actresses) having views, he doesn't understand "why we take them seriously."
It seems as though Mr. Liddle didn't do his research on Watson before publishing the article, so we figured we'd give him some insight:
Not only did she graduate from Brown University, but she's also been an ambassador for the UN for two years, working on initiatives for the HeForShe campaign to raise awareness and promote gender equality and women's rights. She's given educational and respectable speeches on the subject time and time again and has become a major face in Hollywood to battle against its lack of gender equality and sexism.
Amid maintaining her career and her work with the UN, she also started a feminist book club called Our Shared Shelf and has fully participated in it, using the opportunity to further her own feminist education.
So, if Liddle or anyone else is questioning "Hermione's" involvement in these matters, we remind you of the questions she once presented herself: "If not me, who? If not now, when?"