Gabrielle Union, one of the stars of Nate Parkerâs The Birth of a Nation, and herself a victim of sexual violence, penned an op-ed in Fridayâs Los Angeles Times describing her âstomach-churning confusionâ after learning of past rape allegations leveled at her director back in 1999. In the film, Union plays the role of Esther, a silent character who is sexually assualtedâa role which Union said she took âbecause 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.â Yet Unionâs feelings about the symbolism of her characterâs silence were muddied after learning about Parkerâs rape case. Although Union describes him as âthe very talented writer, director, and star of this film,â she also writes that âas important and ground-breaking as this film is, I cannot take these allegations lightly.â While stressing the importance of informed consent and education, Union describes her hopes that the film can be âan opportunity to inform and educate so that these situations cease to occur on college campuses, in dorm rooms, in fraternities, in apartments or anywhere else young people get together to socialize.â