Roman Polanski has led a life filled with great moments – directing such well known films as Chinatown and The Pianist – but, a life also full of tragedy and horror – escaping the Krakow ghetto and the murder of his wife and unborn baby. These things seem unbearable for any one man to experience in his lifetime.
But then, in 1977, 45 year old Polanski drugged a 13 year old girl and raped her multiple times. After being offered a plea bargain, he only plead guilty to sexual intercourse with a minor. Not wanting to spend time in jail for his crime, he fled to France where he has been living for decades until his arrest in Switzerland just days ago.
Roman Polanski. Director. Producer. Writer. Actor. Does his fame get him a free pass from a crime he committed and plead guilty to? That’s what some are saying now – demanding he be freed.
Why? Why does he deserve to buck the system? Because he made some good films? Because he’s got money?
What if his name wasn’t Roman Polanski? What if he was just a guy nobody had ever heard of, who raped a child? And that child was your neighbor, your friend, your daughter, your sister. Would it matter what his name was? I don’t think so.
I honestly don’t understand why so many have rushed to his defense on this case. I admit, it is curious as to why the Swiss government has arrested him now. After all, Polanski owns a house there and has visited the country countless time before.
However, I’d bet everything I own, that if Polanski had a different name, if he was a nobody, the same people calling for his freedom would be screaming for his arrest.
Want proof? Just take a look at the reaction to the Garrido / Dugard case. No one backs a rapist. Well, I guess some will, as long as they’re famous.
