When “Birth of a Nation” actress Gabrielle Union was asked about Fox News commentator Stacey Dash‘s recent comments on the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, she didn’t hold back.
“Who is that? Who’s
Her comments quickly sparked the hashtag #WhoIsStaceyDash, which was soon trending on both Facebook and Twitter.
Dash caused controversy last week when, during a discussion about diversity and the Oscars, she said there shouldn’t be a Black History Month and networks like BET should be shut down.
“We have to make up our minds. Either we want to have segregation or integration, and if we don’t want segregation, then we have to get rid of channels like BET and the BET Awards and the Image Awards, where you’re only awarded if you’re black,” she said. “If it were the other way around, we’d be up in arms. It’s a double standard. There shouldn’t be a Black History Month. We’re Americans, period.”
Union, who also stars in the BET series “Being Mary Jane,” clearly didn’t agree with Dash’s comments and stressed the need for diversity and inclusion.
“It’s like why there’s a need for ‘Birth of a Nation,’ and why there’s a need for the Country Music Awards and the ALMA Awards. If you don’t see yourself reflected in mainstream awards, you tend to create your own,” she said. “Until there is no longer a need for that, I celebrate the ALMAs, the same way I celebrate the Country Music Awards, and the same way I celebrate the BET Awards and the Image Awards.
“The more that we focus on inclusion and a true representation of this country, I think that crazy lady will have less to say.”
Union stars in “Birth of a Nation” alongside Parker (as Nat Turner, who led a 48-hour slave rebellion against his white masters), Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley and Jayson Warner Smith also star.
Watch the Associated Press video of Union’s interview below.