Earlier this week, John Legend came out as a feminist and said he thinks all men should follow suit. Naming his mother as a primary influence, Legend explained,
If men care about women’s rights the world will be a better place. We are better off when women are empowered—it leads to a better society.
The suave singer was prompted to announce his view at the press conference for Chime for Change, a Gucci-founded charity that “raises funds to improve the lives of women worldwide.” And with women’s rights at the center of the current political hotbed, Legend’s statement could not come at a better time. Declaring a feminist identity has been cringe-inducing for some celebrities, even if they claim to support women’s rights. Taylor Swift and Katy Perry are perfect examples: Both women have explicitly told the public and the media not to label them as feminists, despite having announced support for women’s empowerment many times in the past.
Legend’s comment dispels misconceptions of feminism. He proves that you don’t need to be a woman to be a feminist and that men don’t need to view feminism as an attack on them. Indeed, all of us are integral to moving forward and making the world a more equitable place.
Thank you, John! Here’s to hoping more celebrity men will be as awesome as you.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
