THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DATE AND STAGE RAPE

Whenever an older woman tells the story of how she had to submit to unwanted advances or rape by men in the position of unequal discretionary power over her, we wonder why anyone has to take that much abuse. Taking advantage of people in any situation is bad enough, that one has to participate in it as if she was willing in order to secure a favor is demeaning. Even worse is rape in any situation. Rape must never be trivialized and must be jealously guided.

What Maheeda posing nude as Catholic Nun, Kim Kardashian and AfroCandy have in common is their ability to control their own financial exploitation. Roman Polanski and Bill Cosby also have in common the introduction of teenage wannabe actresses, sometimes by parents knowing full well the sleaze, drugs and sexual glorification in the entertainment industry. Successful actress such as Jennifer Lawrence cried foul if their past showed up. If unsuccessful some may bite back.

If Monica Lewinsky had claimed she was rape, her interrogators could have been happy to go easy on her and she could have received more empathy than she is getting today. The case of Roman Polanski and Bill Cosby are different in the sense that entertainment industry is known notoriously as sexually pervasive in real life, act or when staged. Unlike gymnastics where little children are groomed into mature athlete, Nollywood, Hollywood and Bollywood are different.

Who does not know that Bill Cosby was a member of Playboy Club and a well-educated man that prefer the entertainment industry? Barbara Bowman one of the wannabe actresses that never made it, appeared on many television stations claiming she now realized that she must have been drugged but knew she was raped after she turned eighteen. From the age of 17 Cosby and her agent paid her rent and probably got pocket money too. Sounds like a kept lady.

Entertainment is notably a sexually provoking industry but so are violent, horror and historical acts that appeal to many and variety of audiences. It is not an excuse to be violent or sexually explicit to children or even teenagers but as a fact, teenagers are exposed. One would expect that in such cases, parents of children and teenagers wishing to be actors and actresses would be diligently involved to watch out for these abuses. These are not places of higher learning.

While colleges are a good place for young men and women to keep their eyes open for future spouse they did get admitted wishing to be raped. Parents have a right to expect their young ones to come out unscathed and well groomed for future tasks. Students go to campus to learn skills, how to live and cope with acquaintances and mates they are going to deal with in life.

The same is true when women start their career outside home in any position at work. They are there to earn a living. These days, some of the women are the main bread winners in the family. Pressuring them for quid pro quo as in sex for promotion, salary raise and any other favor has been promulgated and banned by law in most countries. Since it is easier to take advantage of a subordinate with less bargaining power, we accept complaint until it is proven otherwise.

It does not mean that there are a few or some ladies that would not take advantage of the law or the zero tolerance for sexual abuse. However, the high cost of reporting abuses by ladies are high. The embarrassment and shame during the process of fact finding prevent many from coming forward. Some repress it and many blame themselves. No matter what, those that want revenge after affairs went sour, spurned or desired more than they can get; cannot be ruled out.

Every profession has its good and bad characters but the entertainment industry have certain attraction for extroverts or introverts that want to act the role they cannot possibly display in real life. Indeed, that contributes to the quality of being a good actor. There are many roles that are explicitly outrageous but totally inappropriate for children and teenagers. In fairness to the industry, adults have been cast in children's role but not always.

In Nigeria Nollywood, actresses have played many roles including some as university students or teenagers. Many actually looked young and believable. In USA, there was an advertisement when Brook Shield as a teenage wore a sexy jean pants saying nothing comes between her and her jeans. Some of the actresses are so young playing sexy parts that one has to wonders how many takes it took before the final cut. The point here is that children play too many sexy roles.

Their mentors take advantage of this and order more practices sometimes with these teenagers leading to sexual proximities and trials. Actually some of the male actors have complained that during the different takes, they are aroused by female's touch: damn if you do damn if you don't get hard. As good actors they are suppose to bring the audience along and espouse the feelings. Those acts that are believable get better rating.

If all this is true, there are actors and directors with reputations. They are well known within the circles, yet these are the ones parents introduce their children to. Polanski claimed he was not dealing with a virgin. Bill Cosby claimed there were many ladies out there trying to blackmail him into giving them more money than he was willing to. Some of the actresses never made it to the point they expected. It is a very competitive field with many falling by the wayside.

There were rumors that Baba Suwe killed his wife for another woman. Another rumor that he carried drugs for money to live a fast life. He sued and won. As it turns out in Nollywood or Hollywood those that were married to one another end up falling for their partners in movies, almost like exchanging partners while others lose their husbands and wives to actress and actors. Moreover, these actors are so popular, teens and admirers follow them everywhere.

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Articles by Farouk Martins Aresa