In the past, Emma Watson has been praised for starting a conversation about gender equality, but she now finds herself receiving harsh backlash for the very same reason.
More:Emma Watson talks to designers about equality in fashion (WATCH)
Watson’s recent comments to The Guardian about how women are “just as guilty of discriminating against women” and how she has worked with a disproportionate number of male as opposed to female directors have not earned her universal approval.
“Some of the best feminists I have encountered are men, like Steve Chbosky who directed me in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and director James Ponsoldt who I am working with at the moment [on The Circle],” she said.
“Some women can be incredibly prejudiced against other women.”
More:Emma Watson’s 11 best responses for fighting sexism
The Regression actress’s remarks have spurred online criticism, with claims that her views come from a privileged, white point of view.
*shrugs* idk Emma Watson and her feminism is super problematic but @ the same time feminism isn't massively popularized
— junglejim4322 (@midwestbimbo) September 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/LUNALAFAYETTE/status/649327573231628288
https://twitter.com/YaMotha91/status/649036109415100417
https://twitter.com/bigbossginger/status/649317051794915328
Twitter users also feel she shouldn’t seek male approval.
Emma Watson is a problematic fav. I love her but she needs to educate herself and stop trying to get male approval with her white feminism.
— 🌙𝑀𝒪𝑅𝑅𝐼𝒢𝒜𝒩 ✨ (@GayGothMermaid) September 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/mohxmmedali/status/648976567943741440
During the interview, Watson discussed her personal experience with sexism, saying that she has worked with male directors 17 times and only twice with female directors.
More:Emma Watson on Time‘s list of the world’s most influential people
“But I am lucky: I have always insisted on being treated equally and have generally won that equality. Most of the problems I have encountered have been in the media, where I have been treated so incredibly differently from my male co-stars,” she said.
Watson is a vocal supporter of the feminist movement, but judging from the backlash she’s received, society may be looking for a champion with more diverse views.
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