Rape is a "So-Called Crime" In a Male-Dominated Culture

Roman Polanski- A Rapist Getting Off the Hook?

By Brianna Savoca

On "The View," Whoopi Goldberg says movie director Roman Polanski's guilty rape plea is "not a rape-rape." Studio executive Harvey Weinstein says Polanski's rape case is a "so-called crime."

If you have not heard the story, Roman Polanski pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 32 years ago in Los Angeles. Before he was sentenced, Polanski fled to France.

According to many public figures and celebrities, Polanski should be handed a get out of jail free card. Reality check- Rape is NOT monopoly.

Rape is a serious crime against women. Polanski's punishment should not be shrugged off after 30 years, while he roamed freely around Europe. What kind of message are we sending- It is okay for a 44-year-old man to have sex with a 13-year-old girl?

He was a mature adult, over three times her age. He needs to be held responsible for his actions, regardless of his credits as a director or the tragedies in his past (many have sympathy for his murdered wife.) It is extremely unfortunate his wife was murdered, but he RAPED a 13-year-old.

However, American culture praises hyper-masculinity, and the justice system riddled with sexism, seems to carelessly undermine the seriousness and gravity of rape. Rape is a crime of power and domination, and it should not be taken lightly as there are victims who suffer harsh repercussions post-rape.

Hopefully Polanski enjoyed his 32-year-long European holiday. Did he remember to send postcards to his poor 13-year-old rape victim?

He probably forgot about her, just as the rest of the public figures supporting Polanski seem to have forgotten her too.

POLITICS OF PRETTY- In Pop Culture PART I

Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" Music Video

By Brianna Savoca

Popular country-pop crossover artist Taylor Swift's award-winning music video for "You Belong With Me" exhibits the harsh realities of the politics of pretty.

THE PLOT

Taylor Swift plays a duel role- the blonde, curly-haired, simple, geeky, girl next door in the band AND the dark-haired, pretty, popular cheerleading captain. At the start of the video, blonde band geek Taylor envies the relationship between her handsome neighbor and the brunette cheerleading captain.

Taylor describes all the aesthetic differences between the two in the chorus:

"She wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts, She's cheer captain, and I'm on the bleachers..."

Taylor basically insinuates throughout the song that the only thing the cheerleader has is looks. Still, the boyfriend seems to be choosing looks over substance.

Click HERE to watch the video.

IN REAL LIFE

While this is just a music video, these situations occur in high schools, colleges, bars, the workplace, and almost any social setting around the country.

People formulate opinions and base social interactions and relationships often on looks alone. Substance and personality may matter eventually, but in general, people judge others primarily on their first impression of their appearance.

Why else would we have the colloquial phrase "Love at first sight?"

THE POLITICS OF PRETTY

So how do the Politics of Pretty play out in Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" music video?

Despite the fact that the video shows the connection between blonde Taylor and her handsome crush as friends, he does not seem to notice her as a potential girlfriend until

blonde Taylor gets a makeover.

Taylor shows up at the high school dance without her big glasses, wearing a sparkly white dress and makeup.

Now the boy next door finally takes notice.

Once again, it is appearance over substance, a.k.a. the Politics of Pretty.