Lawyer Amal Clooney concentrates her efforts on international law and global human rights, so it was fitting that she spoke to the United Nations on Thursday to continue her battle to hold ISIS accountable for their crimes.
The event, in which Clooney was a key player and participant, was organized by several nations to advance their initiative against ISIS.
Amal addressed the group with an impassioned plea. "What is shocking here is not just the brutality of ISIS but how long those who know about it can remain passive. If we do not change course, history will judge us, and there will be no excuse for our failure to act,” she remarked.
She continued, “I’m asking you today to stand up for justice. Every conflict reminds us that there can be no lasting peace without justice… Justice is also what the victims want.”
While Clooney's speech was impressive, to say the least, many media outlets chose to focus on her baby bump—she's expecting twins with George Clooney—instead of the work she set out to do. Even reputable publications like Time emphasized Amal's physical appearance over her professional achievements.
Of course, Twitter had thoughts about that.
@TIME This is lazy and sexist journalism, period.
— Grace Bonney (@designsponge) March 10, 2017
@TIME she was talking about sexual slavery and Isis.
— Sophia Cannon (@SophiaCannon) March 10, 2017
Let me rewrite that for you, @Time:
"Amal Clooney shows off her plans to investigate genocide by ISIS at the United Nations"#WhyWeNeedIWDhttps://t.co/n1wEpP9U34
— Mohamed El Dahshan (@eldahshan) March 10, 2017
Amal Clooney, at UN to discuss accountability for ISIS, reduced to fertility machine. Happy International Women's Day! C'mon, @TIME! https://t.co/aWxUrtI5is
— Sam Zarifi (@SZarifi) March 10, 2017
Let's hope that in the future Amal can be recognized for her life-changing work rather than just for what she looks like.
