On February 28, 2017, Vanity Fair posted a photo of Emma Watson posing in a sheer Burberry top, exposing a majority of her cleavage — and causing an excess of outrage on Twitter. British radio presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer tweeted out “Emma Watson: "Feminism, feminism... gender wage gap... why oh why am I not taken seriously... feminism... oh, and here are my tits!" with the photo of Watson.
From there, Watson received a slew of criticism, painting her as a hypocrite for claiming to be a feminist while exposing her body in a photoshoot. She was questioned about how she could promote feminism and expect to be taken seriously while she was being photographed in somewhat revealing clothing.
And it’s stupid.
According to the Washington Post, 60 percent of women and 30 percent of men identify as a feminist — and this doesn’t even include statistics on those who identify as non-gender conforming and consider themselves feminists. This means it’s likely that the majority of people in the feminist movement have boobs. So why are we shaming them?
Watson has done amazing things for the feminist movement, including speaking at the launch of the He for She, an organization encouraging men to show up for feminism and equal rights for women. She’s also a United Nations Women Global Goodwill Ambassador and runs a feminist book club called Our Shared Shelf. For years, Watson has been speaking out for equal rights, and setting an example for everyone else.
Merriam-Webster’s first definition of feminism reads: “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” It is not wanting to become more powerful than men, or even about hating men. It is about giving women a right to make their own decisions — whether that be with their career, their body, or the clothes they wear — without it affecting the power of their voice. Watson said in an interview with Rueters: “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.”
If anything, she continues to reinforce the idea that women should have a choice with their bodies, whether that be with their clothing or their health, and still be considered worthy of being heard. I’m not saying that you must have boobs to be a feminist, but having boobs doesn’t make you any less qualified. If men can pose in nothing but a pair of Calvin Klein boxers and be taken seriously, then there’s no reason a woman — especially one as inspiring as Emma Watson — can’t pose in a revealing top and still preach for equality.
Yes, I am a feminist. And yes, I have boobs. Being a feminist means that I have a choice to do what I want with my body, without it making me less qualified to be heard. Both the women and the men who identify as feminists should not be putting down others for wearing and dressing how they want. If you don’t want to expose your cleavage, then don’t; if you want to pose in the most revealing outfit in your closet, then do it. Feminism is about what ever empowers you to speak up and make your voice heard. Your v-neck top does not make your thoughts less important.
And, as Gloria Steinem told TMZ: “Feminists can wear anything they f****** want.”
