Gabrielle Union on Rihanna's Music Video: 'I Tried to Shoot My Rapist Too'

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted Jun 7th 2011 03:15PM

After Rihanna received much criticism for her 'Man Down' music video in which she shoots a man who had previously sexually assaulted her, actress Gabrielle Union is backing up the controversial singer's true to life, for some, revenge video, reports E! Online.

After a fan asked Union, via Twitter, what she thought about the video, the 'Bring it On' actress responded with more than just a nay or yay approval of the violent imagery.

"Saw 'Man Down' by @rihanna," she tweeted. "Every victim/survivor of rape is unique, including how they THINK they'd like justice 2 be handed out ... During my rape I tried 2 shoot my rapist, bt I missed. Over the yrs I realized tht killin my rapist would've added insult 2 injury. The DESIRE 2 kill someone whose abused/raped u is understandable, bt unless its self defense n the moment 2 save ur life, just ADDS 2 ur troubles."

Although this is not the first time that Union, 38, has spoken publicly about the sexual assault she experienced at 19 years old, this is the first time she has admitted to attempting to shoot her attacker. The actor continued, via Twitter, that the assault took place during a robbery at a store where she was working. Her attacker put his weapon down during the rape, before Union picked up the gun and fired a shot.

"#Mandown video did a GREAT job of getting the ENTIRE world Talking abt RAPE," she continued. "I hope tht it leads 2 HEALING & PREVENTS RAPE."

Union's take on the video is just one more in a pile of opinions of the singer's video which is only the latest of Rihanna's controversial contenders.

Tags: gabrielle union, rihanna

Comments

(39)

Wednesday 08 June

By Juli

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to colleen;

Are you really thinking this through at all ? How long have we had TV? And for how long have there been guns on TV shows?
Violence on TV & it's influence on the young has been an issue from the very begining, but, again (speaking as a parent), if my husband & I can't at the very least set boundries for what our son is exposed to in our own home & for instilling decent values & a personal sence of responibilty in him, than WE are at fault, not some "flavor of the month" celebrity on MTV! Why don't we bring video games in to the mix while we're at it?
BTW, MTV has had a LOT more violence against & degredation of women than vise versa. If this was a woman being *depicted* as being shot, I bet half these posters would not even care!

By reesetvr59

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rapist deserve that

By Brenda

A rapist deserves to get shot...Shoot his tool off so he can't rape again...

By smileyman9

MTV still shows music videos?

By ajschrod

Very seldom does MTV show videos anymore. Thet've figured out that trash reality earns them more money.

By BOOWAH

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In killing another human being, one has to rationalize it! Is he human or just a pile of malignant cells? Is he man or animal, an abbhoration that never did aquire human status?

By Andy

Rihanna's song isn't about a rapist.. she says she totally sorry, why should she be sorry? she should be sorry because truth she killed him in a jealous rage.. that's makes more sense!! or the songs just nonsense. as for this girl, she accidentely missed on purpose so she could get some more out of him!!

By fern

all rapiest s/b killed

By Glen

Shooting a rapist equals one less rapist to attack unsupecting women. Seems like a good deal to me!

By Justifier

That's good..... all women should be given immunity to be able to go after their rapists and kill them. There'd be a lot less rapes going on! And Catholic children should be given the same rights, and be able to go kill their rapist, pedophile priests.

By severvirus

Violent rapist that are shot do not rape again. I don't see any justice in letting them go.

By control

I think everyone is missing the point here. Rhiana wasn't raped, so what gives her the right to make this song. It is only inflammatory and based on a lie.

By bob

just an observation...probably better to shoot the "attempted" rapist.
you know the map where a young woman is shown at location A,
a rapist with aids at location B and a cop waaaayyyyy over at location C...with the question, "so, what you thinking now about concealed carry laws?....

By Lisa

Lorena Bobbit had the right idea, cut it off.

By loco1

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Lorena Bobbit was a jealous liar and someone needs to stick a hot curling iron up her...........!!!

By jim

I understand her pain and I feel for her, but believe me, if she was my Daughter, she would not have to kill, I would..

Friday 10 June

By Carmen

No one as far as I an can tell ever talks about all of the times you've seen women raped on tv and movies. I guess it's okay to see that but not okay to see a woman take revenge on her rapist. I don't condone violence, but we tend to blame the victim and not the perpetrator. There are plenty of women out there who have been raped by fathers, brothers, other relatives, boyfriends, husbands and strangers and they have to live with this pain, which affects them consciously and unconsciously.

By getreal13

Many people live with many demons, but they don't kill people. By the way males get molested and raped too and also have to live with it. Also, by mothers, sisters, aunts, teachers, and babysitters. Haven't you watched the news lately. Google: women who rape; you'll be surprised.

By jus' jokin'

Can You name one role-model on MTV?

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