Rape and The Polanski Effect
There has been a lot of talk about rape lately. As Jonah Goldberg mentions, this is surprising due to the fact there should not be considerable talk, debate, or open discussion about rape. Rape is rape. Rape is not sex. There is no distinction between rape or Whoopi Goldberg’s bizarre definitions of “rape-rape” versus mere rape.
For those of you just tuning in, yes, she said that. I, too, thought, “There is no way she meant what it sounds like she meant.” Watch the video. Not only did she mean to say it wasn’t “rape-rape,” but she goes into a thorough (yet indefensible) personal opinion about what rape is and isn’t.
Can’t make up your mind? Swayed by Whoopi’s cogent analysis? Try reading the actual 1977 Grand Jury transcripts first.
Whoopi is not the only name in entertainment to show support. On The Polanski Effect* from NPR’s Jack Dunphy,
So it has come to this: Drugging and raping a 13-year-old is now a “so-called crime,” for which artistic talent, the approbation of peers, and the passage of time can coalesce to earn the rapist immunity from official sanction, if indeed any was called for in the first place.
“Whatever you think about the so-called crime, [Roman] Polanski has served his time,” says film producer Harvey Weinstein in The Independent. His piece is notable not only for its moral obtuseness but also for its sickeningly unctuous tone. “I was with him the day he won the Legion of Honour in France,” writes Weinstein, “which was a spectacular day. I remember the incredible love and affection that people have for him.”
Mr. Weinstein overlooks the fact that the history of mankind is liberally dotted with despicable men who could draw an adoring throng. Even so, there is another, more compelling (at least to Weinstein) reason Polanski should be freed: His peers in show business demand it. “I hope the US government acts swiftly,” he writes, “because film makers are looking for justice to be properly served. I will be organizing the effort myself by emailing everybody I know to sign the petition.” [FYI - Big Hollywood has started acounter-petition.]
By justice being properly served, Weinstein means that Polanski should be freed from Swiss custody and the original rape charge against him should be dismissed. This opinion is evidently shared by a growing number of people affiliated with the movie business, including Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, and that paragon of virtue Woody Allen, all of whom have added their names to a petition in which they “demand the immediate release of Roman Polanski.”
*This goes back to a post I wrote recently regarding what I called The (other) Wagner Effect. We can update it now to The Polanski Effect. As in, the effect someone’s artistic skill has in sanctifying their crimes or otherwise heinous personal dogma. To be clear, I have no problem with people enjoying his movies, or even giving him awards based on artistic merit. Whether or not he is deserving of art prizes and approbation for filmmaking is distinct from whether or not he is deserving of punishment for the crime he committed, and from which he then fled the country. What I have a problem with is people thinking his talent makes him innocent or undeserving of punishment for rape. The fact anyone would make this connection is troubling and conflating the two is leading to some bizarre thinking among Hollywood and feminist elite.
The Economics of Rape
That’s right, even feminists are supporting the release of Polanski. How delightfully forward-thinking. From the LA Times, quoting feminist leader Peg Yorkin,
“My personal thoughts are let the guy go,” said Peg Yorkin, founder of the Feminist Majority Foundation.”It’s bad a person was raped. But that was so many years ago. The guy has been through so much in his life. It’s crazy to arrest him now. Let it go. The government could spend its money on other things.”
Yorkin’s appeal to the economics of the matter is sickening. The expense to put Polanski on trial is insignificant compared to the precedent that would be set that no matter how famous, rich, or important you are, the law will still apply. That benefit would far exceed the cost in my opinion. The government’s job is to protect its citizens from aggression. There is not a time limit on this. If there ever was a legitimate use of taxpayer dollars, it is for arresting criminals who harm others and jailing them!
Rape as Art
Despite my backward thinking that rape and art don’t mix, Rape-as-Art may not be as far-fetched as some think. A contemporary art piece, The Rape Tunnel, was recently featured in Artlurker article indicating the artist would try his best to rape anyone who entered a tunnel he constructed as an installation. Most thankfully, this has turned out to be a hoax, and yet, was picked up by a variety of news sources. Though astonishing, The Rape Tunnel seemed entirely believable. Artlurker (who’s site is down, hence, no link) said, “Our intention was to spark conversation.” The fact the story enjoyed even 24 hours of serious consideration is a sad commentary on art today.
If art is to serve the issue of rape and violence against women at all, it is should not be to make light of it, or claim that exceptionally talented artists should be allowed to rape freely. As artists, we should not let the tradition of art serving to alert society of serious deficiencies in the treatment of social issues move towards acceptance of heinous crimes.
What’s more, the fact that I have even been moved to type these words is incredibly alarming, and I do hope to see more vocal opposition to Polanski among artists. If you write a blog post, please link to it in the comments section here as a virtual petition against Polanski and the Hollywood elite who want to set him free.
