I know some of my readers don’t like Nate Parker or his movie, Birth of a Nation. Personally, I will reserve judgement on the film itself until I’ve had the chance to see it. I also don’t know enough about Mr. Parker’s off-screen character to say that I dislike him. I have no feelings about the man, truth be told. But, like most other people familiar with the past rape charges against him, I have read The Daily Beast report filled with court transcripts from the case (there’s also a Deadline story that Parker cooperated with, which preceded the Beast one). I can’t sit here and say some of the things presented in it aren’t disturbing, because they are. Parker is not presented in the best light. However…
The man was acquitted in a court of law. The co-writer of Birth of a Nation, Jean Celestin, was also charged along with Mr. Parker and he was also eventually exonerated, although under cloudier circumstances. His conviction was thrown out and he ended up not being retried. So yes, this thing is not quite black and white. But, neither men were found guilty and they both proclaim their innocence to this very day.
In fact, Parker reiterated it last night on 60 Minutes in an interview with Anderson Cooper…
So, he was acquitted for a crime he still claims not to have committed. How does the media portray his interview? Not well, it turns out:
I’m at a loss here. Why is he supposed to be apologizing for a crime he was acquitted of? I guess he could say something about using bad judgement, etc., but in the current climate I don’t think that would be very wise either. Any type of move like that would be portrayed as Parker tacitly admitting he’s a rapist. Again, that’s a charge he denies. He does make some comments about being a different man now, with a Christian perspective. Still, that’s as far as he goes.
Anderson Cooper: Do you feel guilty about anything that happened that night?
Nate Parker: I don’t feel guilty.
Anderson Cooper: Do you feel you did something morally wrong?
Nate Parker: As a Christian man, just– being in that situation, yeah, sure. I’m 36 years old right now. And my faith is very important to me. You know, so looking back through that lens, I definitely feel like– it’s not the lens that I had when I was 19 years old.
This isn’t good enough for the rad fems in the media and on Twitter, though. They want the guy to prostate himself before them and admit to a crime he was acquitted of.
"I was falsely accused." Doesn't mean you were proven innocent. And your tears, yo. Keep it. #60Minutes #NateParker
— Rebecca Carroll (@rebel19) October 2, 2016
What kind of Orwellian statement is this garbage? https://t.co/jFNFGNhbJC
— Ethan Ralph (@TheRalphRetort) October 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/ashcech/status/782732643318235136
On this day of our Lord, Nate Parker who calls himself a "Christian" sat on #60minutes & lied about the woman he raped & drove to the grave
— Yukio Strachan (@boldandworthy) October 3, 2016
(His accuser later committed suicide)
Nate Parker's interview provided us a perfect example of DARVO https://t.co/rqginCwq8Q
— Yukio Strachan (@boldandworthy) October 3, 2016
He said he was "vindicated". Like he won.. Completely oblivious to the pain that woman felt. Empathy, remorse aren't legal terms.
— teetads⁷ 🦋 (@teetads) October 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/DancinKim76/status/782809988578238464
https://twitter.com/FriskandStop/status/782809894097395712
>>> I am less sympathetic to Nate Parker after that piece. He knew what had to be said and couldn’t say it. He needs sensitivity training.
— David Poland (@DavidPoland) October 3, 2016
I imagine my rapist would have responded much like #nateparker did. His career far exceeds priority over holding himself accountable.
— Forced Trajectory Project (@FTProMedia) October 3, 2016
Nate Parker, you are not a victim. You are a rapist. If you understand what consent means, you will understand. #RapeCulture
— laura (@hanniganlaw) October 3, 2016
Some people have asked me why I’m going to bat for a guy who they believe is trying to paint whites negatively while exploiting racial tensions for cash. Even if all that’s true, which it very well may be, it’s more about the principle of the matter for me. He was acquitted in a court of law and now ideologues want him to cry and beg for their forgiveness, all so they will be comfortable seeing his hyped-up movie. Life is uncomfortable, folks. I don’t know what else to tell you. I have no problem separating art from artist. I do it all the time. But some people just can’t get over that hurdle and they want to shame everyone else who can.
Fuck that.
