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BREAKING HER SILENCE: Rape Survivor Gabrielle Union Pens Powerful Piece On Nate Parker's Debacle, “I Cannot Take These Allegations Lightly”

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Birth of a Nation star Gabrielle Union, a survivor of sexual assault, opens up in powerful op-ed piece about the rape allegations surrounding the film’s creator Nate Parker. Find out what she said inside…

Birth of a Nation star Gabrielle Union, a survivor of sexual assault, has remained silent since the whirlwind of controversy that exploded on the Internet about the rape allegations surrounding the film’s creator Nate Parker. As you all know by now, Nate was accused of rape 17-years ago and ultimately was acquitted.

Still, the masses for years have taken issue with the courtroom transcript and what Nate DID admit to.

Before the movie’s promo rounds kicked off, Nate rushed to the media to try and create the narrative about the situation, which ultimately backfired.

Fans of Gabrielle Union know the Hollywood star was raped at gunpoint in the back of a Payless shoe store where she worked 24 years ago. She has been quite vocal about the horrific incident in order to help raise awareness to rape culture and being an advocate against sexual violence.

So, folks have been wondering what she thought about it all seeing that she also bought in as an Executive Producer.

Now, she’s breaking her silence.

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In a powerful op-ed piece for the L.A. Times, the “Being Mary Jane” actress addressed starring in a movie with Nate and her reasons behind playing a role where the character is raped.

Regardless of what people may think of Nate, Gabby is solely focused on how the film can open up conversations about rape culture, consent, sexual violence, toxic masculinity and misogyny. She hopes the film will touch a young woman who has been assaulted and to give them the courage to speak up about the injustices against women all over the world.

The 43-year-old actress also talked about teaching our young black men exactly what it means to have a women’s consent and what doesn’t constitute as a “yes” from a woman.

Below is an excerpt from her piece:

Since Nate Parker’s story was revealed to me, I have found myself in a state of stomach-churning confusion. I took this role because I related to the experience. I also wanted to give a voice to my character, who remains silent throughout the film. In her silence, she represents countless black women who have been and continue to be violated. Women without a voice, without power. Women in general. But black women in particular. I knew I could walk out of our movie and speak to the audience about what it feels like to be a survivor.

My compassion for victims of sexual violence is something that I cannot control. It spills out of me like an instinct rather than a choice. It pushes me to speak when I want to run away from the platform. When I am scared. Confused. Ashamed. I remember this part of myself and must reach out to anyone who will listen — other survivors, or even potential perpetrators.

As important and ground-breaking as this film is, I cannot take these allegations lightly. On that night, 17-odd years ago, did Nate have his date’s consent? It’s very possible he thought he did. Yet by his own admission he did not have verbal affirmation; and even if she never said “no,” silence certainly does not equal “yes.” Although it’s often difficult to read and understand body language, the fact that some individuals interpret the absence of a “no” as a “yes” is problematic at least, criminal at worst. That’s why education on this issue is so vital.

As a black woman raising brilliant, handsome, talented young black men, I am cognizant of my responsibility to them and their future. My husband and I stress the importance of their having to walk an even straighter line than their white counterparts.

To that end, we are making an effort to teach our sons about affirmative consent. We explain that the onus is on them to explicitly ask if their partner consents. And we tell them that a shrug or a smile or a sigh won’t suffice. They have to hear “yes.”

I took this part in this film to talk about sexual violence. To talk about this stain that lives on in our psyches. I know these conversations are uncomfortable and difficult and painful. But they are necessary. Addressing misogyny, toxic masculinity, and rape culture is necessary. Addressing what should and should not be deemed consent is necessary.

It is my hope that we can use this as an opportunity to look within. To open up the conversation. To reach out to organizations which are working hard to prevent these kinds of crimes. And to support its victims. To donate time or money. To play an active role in creating a ripple that will change the ingrained misogyny that permeates our culture. And to eventually wipe the stain clean.

You can read her full powerful op-ed here.

Thoughts?

Photo: Getty


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