When Union was a teen, she was raped while at work. Two years ago, she signed on to play a character who is repeatedly raped in Nate Parker's upcoming film Birth of a Nation.
Later, Union learned that Parker had been acquitted of rape charges 17 years ago.
As important and ground-breaking as this film is, I cannot take these allegations lightly, Union wrote in her Los Angeles Times op-ed. On that night, 17-odd years ago, did Nate have his date’s consent? [...] 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.
Source: Los Angeles Times