Emma Watson made a powerful speech about feminism at the United Nations last week, in which she argued that gender stereotypes entrap men and women alike. Watson delivered the speech to launch HeforShe.org, a solidarity movement for gender equality. She received a standing ovation and the congratulations of many commentators. Today, however, Salon is reporting that in the weirdest response to the speech from the Internet, a 4chan user has set up a website, “Emma You Are Next”, that threatens to leak nude photos of the actress. The site features a countdown clock and the slogan ‘Never Forget, The Biggest To Come Thus Far’.
Salon is positing (and wishing) the idea that the site and countdown are a hoax. The photos may not exist, but there’s no denying the reality of some of the negative feelings that Watson’s speech created. “That feminist bitch Emma is going to show the world she is as much of a whore as any woman,” wrote one 4chan board member. There is also a campaign to get the hashtag #RIPEmma trending on Twitter. The trouble with free speech is that it’s protected, almost no matter what it says.
