Jane Fonda is no stranger to being behind bars, often due to her activism. Whether rallying against war or raising awareness about climate change, she never shies away from the consequences of her actions. Recently, she joined Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson on their ‘Where Everybody Knows Your Name’ podcast to discuss her latest experience in jail, which she found particularly eye-opening.
Fonda recalled feeling out of place during her last stint in jail, noting, “I was the only white person there.” She observed that the other prisoners, mostly Black women, were indifferent to her celebrity status. “They had far more important things to think about and none of them had seen any of my movies,” she said.
However, Fonda did find a surprising point of connection with her fellow inmates. It wasn’t her more prestigious work that caught their attention but rather the 2005 rom-com ‘Monster-in-Law,’ in which she starred alongside Jennifer Lopez. “I pulled that card and they were mildly impressed, but not really,” Fonda joked. “They went right back and talked about what they were dealing with — which was survival issues. It was an eye-opener.”
During the podcast, Danson added that most people, especially people of color, experience a much different reality when it comes to being arrested. Fonda agreed, saying, “Even though we’re treated okay once we’re there — because they don’t want to make a stink because we’re white and famous.”
Despite the relatively better treatment she received, Fonda emphasized the importance of civil disobedience. “There’s something very liberating about engaging in civil disobedience,” she expressed. “It’s like putting your whole body on the line where your deepest values are, and you don’t get many chances in life to do that.”
Fonda’s time in jail was not without its challenges. She described the conditions as harsh, with a flat, metal surface to sleep on and constant screams echoing down the hall. “Psychotic breaks are happening. Guys are screaming and screaming and banging the doors,” she recounted.
This experience was part of Fonda’s fifth arrest in 2019, during a Washington D.C. protest aimed at raising awareness about global climate change. Danson, who was also arrested during one of these “Fire Drill Friday” events, pointed out that for most people, especially people of color, getting arrested is a vastly different experience.
Fonda’s activism has spanned decades, and she has been arrested multiple times. She recalled a previous arrest in 1970 in Cleveland, where she was accused by the Nixon administration of smuggling drugs. “I was put in a cell by somebody kicking heroin,” she said. “That was not good and I got roughed up a little, but you know, we get off easy.”
Despite the challenges, Fonda remains committed to her activism. She believes that her actions can inspire others to take a stand. “I turned 82 in jail there,” she explained at a TIME100 Summit event. “And I figured, if I do this a whole bunch of people will go, ‘God, if she can do it, I guess I can.’”
Fonda’s experiences highlight the stark differences in how people are treated based on their race and status. While she acknowledges the privileges she has as a white, famous person, she remains dedicated to fighting for justice and equality. Her story serves as a reminder of the power of civil disobedience and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, no matter the consequences.
Source: People
