Emma Watson's recent speech on gender equality at the UN touched millions of hearts. It also made a 15-year-old boy write a letter in support of the actor, which has now gone viral on social media.
Ed Holtom is a student at an all-boys school in St Albans, England. His letter on Watson's speech was published in The Telegraph on Sunday.
Holtom grabbed international attention after his letter reached thousands through online media. It was retweeted several times in the last 24 hours, the Daily Life pointed out.
A magnificent letter in the Telegraph from 15-year-old @EdHoltom. pic.twitter.com/68Bzkq0GhB
— Nicholas Pegg (@NicholasPegg) September 28, 2014
"I watched Emma Watson's UN speech and agreed with everything she said, so I was disappointed by how ignorant some of the other boys in my class were about it (I attend an independent, all-boys school)," the letter opened.
Holtom emphasised that people should "stop pressurising each other to fit stereotypes" and "must not let gender define us".
"It's pretty simple really: if you believe in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes, then you're a feminist."
BuzzFeed reportedly spoke to the teenager, who revealed it was not just Watson who inspired him.
"I was inspired by Emma Watson's speech, but also by Beyoncé's philosophy of female empowerment. I didn't expect anyone to take an interest in it, but I'm so glad people agree with me!" Holtom stressed.
Watson gave the speech on 20 September at the launch of the HeForShe campaign at the UN, where the actor asked men to get involved in the cause and take a stand.
"The more I have spoken about feminism the more I have realised that fighting for women's rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating," Watson stated, urging for support, adding: "If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop."