Harry Potter star Emma Watson has responded to criticism over her participation in the #BlackoutTuesday campaign in what many social media users called performative activism. The idea of the campaign is to cause a blackout on social media (posting black squares) so that instead of their ordinary pastime on social media, people would educate themselves on racial inequality and the Black Lives Matter movement, which claims to be aimed at stopping violence and racism towards black people. The organisers also encouraged people and organisations to post content that would promote racial equality.
Major companies, museums, and millions of people, including A-list celebrities, took part in the campaign on Tuesday. Watson posted three black squares on her Instagram account along with several hashtags. Social media users criticised the actress, arguing that she didn’t say anything about racial inequality or the protests over the death of George Floyd. Others accused the 30-year-old of performative activism, contending that the three black squares she posted had white borders to match the aesthetic of her Instagram.
emma watson making sure she adds a white border to fit her instagram aesthetic for this blackout bs after having said zero things, posted zero links for petitions, donations and funds.. there's something wrong with her pic.twitter.com/fxi3pV7pBK
— maz (@Iewyndavis) June 2, 2020
Watson recently responded to the criticism by posting a statement on Instagram.
"There is so much racism, both in our past and present, that is not acknowledged nor accounted for. White supremacy is one of the systems of hierarchy and dominance, of exploitation and oppression, that is tightly stitched into society. As a white person, I have benefited from this. Whilst we might feel that, as individuals, we're working hard internally to be anti-racist, we need to work harder externally to actively tackle the structural and institutional racism around us. I'm still learning about the many ways I unconsciously support and uphold a system that is structurally racist. I see your anger, sadness and pain. I cannot know what this feels like for you but it doesn't mean I won't try to", the actress wrote on Instagram.
Many social media users rushed to back the actress, noting that she had done more for human rights than the people criticising her. In 2014, Watson was appointed a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and helped launch a campaign to promote gender equality.
emma watson’s done more than most of you all and she’s been doing it since 2015.. and most of you have been doing it for like... 2 days? and you think you have the right to call her out? pic.twitter.com/81vdxpnmrX
— chromatica aoty (@nashtanj) June 3, 2020
Absolutely no need for you or anyone else to explain themselves. Shame on anyone trolling her.
— truthhurts (@truthhu02338077) June 3, 2020
Others lamented the fact that the star of the Oscar-nominated movie Little Women gave in to pressure from what they described as a woke movement.
Oh Emma ...just stop falling into the trap.
— I_say (@_i_say_i_say) June 3, 2020
Just quit being so dim.
Others users noted that instead of arguments over celebrities people should be focused on important issues.
Black people are being murdered by police in broad daylight, and you guys are fighting about Emma Watson? pic.twitter.com/d91rMf05gY
— Frank (@whymapleleafs) June 2, 2020
