Actress Gabrielle Union is one of a slew of celebrity who shared their thoughts on Rihanna controversial music video “Man Down.”
The video hit home for Gabrielle who was raped while working at a shoe store at the age of 19. In 2009, she shared the story, saying:
“When I was 19 years old, I was raped. I was working at a shoe store in California, and the store was robbed. The person robbing the store ended up putting a gun to my head and raping me. As he was raping me, I felt as though I was floating over myself, thinking, ‘This isn’t happening.’ I blanked out and had an out-of-body experience, like I was hovering above seeing this horrible thing happen to someone else…not me. I was fortunate enough to go the UCLA rape crisis center after this horrific ordeal. It gave me my life back. My dignity and self-esteem were gone and they helped me find them again.”
Union told her Twitter followers that she tried to shoot the person who raped her but realized it would have caused more harm in the end.
“Saw “Man Down” by Rihanna. Every victim/survivor of rape is unique, including how they THINK they’d like justice [to] be handed out. [During] my rape I tried [to] shoot my rapist, but I missed. Over the years I realized that killing my rapist would’ve added insult to injury. The DESIRE [to] kill someone who abused/raped [you] is understandable, [but] unless it’s self defense in the moment to save your life, just ADDS to your troubles #mandown. I repeat SELF DEFENSE 2 save yourself/protect yourself, I’m ALL for. Otherwise victim/survivor taking justice into your own hands with violence equals more trouble for you!!”
Rihanna music video for “Man Down” shot in Jamaica, was heavily criticized by the PTC and other groups. Nevertheless, the video create meaningful dialogue around a serious subject.
Peep Rihanna “Man Down” video below.
