Who's Afraid of Harvey Weinstein?

The Roman Polanski case has more twists and
turns than a Scorsese movie.
One aspect that hasn't been examined is
why no one in Hollywood has come out
against the petition circulated by Weinstein,
Scorsese and other Hollywood fat cats
advocating for Polanski to get off scot free
for drugging and raping a 13 year old when
he was 43 years old.
(Side note: Woody Allen signing
the petition would be laughable
if it weren't so repugnant.)

How can Hollywood, a culture that decries
rape in the Congo, protests crimes in Sudan,
advocates for education of girls in Afghanistan
and says we must never forget the Holocaust,
say that we should forgive and forget
the rape of child by a middle aged man?
Also, for the record, it was rape - really
"rape-rape".
See the police report on The Smoking Gun.
It would never be appropriate for a 43 year old
to have sex with a child of 13 even if
that child was "willing".
A 13 year old does not have the mental
and emotional development to make
appropriate decision about sex - that is
why 13 year olds are not allowed
to drive cars, buy cigarettes, alcohol or vote,
and need parents signatures
on their report cards.
The victim was drugged, said "no"
to Polanski's advances, repeatedly tried
to leave, even told him she has asthma and
had to go home and get her medicine
(a lie in attempt to get away) - a plea he ignored.
Jack Nicholson, who owned the house which
was the scene of the crime, has been silent
in this brouhaha.
Could it be that Nicholson, now a father,
knows how deeply abhorrent Polanski crime was,
and regrets his unwitting role in it?
I hope so.

Again, back to the question: Why aren't any
Hollywood stars speaking out against Polanski?
I can't imagine that everyone in Hollywood thinks
a.) It is OK to rape a 13 year old, or,
b.) Polanski should be absolved on grounds
that he is a talented director and the crime
took place a long time ago.
Contrary to popular belief, Hollywood has its
fare share of good, decent people that really care
about women and children.
Lisa Ling reported on the horrors of rape
in the Congo, Oprah fights against child predators
and talks about the lasting effects
of child sexual abuse, Susan Sarandon supports
several worthy women's causes,
Angelina Jolie advocates for Refugees
and Orphans, Lucy Liu is the UNICEF Ambassador
for child trafficking, and the list goes on.
Countless actors and movie moguls have
used their platforms to be a voice for
marginalized populations, and put
considerable time, effort and money
into helping a number of worthy causes.
Given this groups proclivity to decry abuse
and speak out against injustices present
and long past, it is very curious that
there is no counter petition against Polanski.

Could it be that courage does not come
as easy when it is time to oppose someone
who might give you your next movie role,
or you might be doing a deal with soon?
The warlord in Sudan, rebel soldier in Congo
or the Taliban cannot kill a Hollywood career.
The sad fact is that many people in Hollywood
probably think that what Polanski did
is reprehensible, but lack
the real courage - putting your livelihood
and status on the line - to go against
Harvey Weinstein, Martin Scorsese
and Woody Allen, so they just keep
their mouths shut and hope the story
dies soon.
Any actor, agent, director, makeup artist
or craft services person who spoke out
to disagree with the kingmakers would
instantly be dead to "the industry" and
everyone knows it.
Where is your moral outrage
and big voice now Hollywood?

To all the deafeningly silent movie stars,
agents and studio heads: Who will speak when
they come for your 13 year old daughter or son?

The opinion above does not reflect that of
any organization the author
has been affiliated with past or present.


Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
jennifer-delaney/whos-afraid-of-harvey-wei_b_310088.html

 
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             J-L K.
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