Roy Exum: An Answer For Amy

  • Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Roy Exum
Roy Exum

Amy Schumer, whose cousin is Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, is said to be a very successful comedian and an activist of note. You may remember her most recent appearance was when she was arrested at the U.S. Capitol three weeks ago. She was part of a disgraceful mob who unlawfully protested the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh and the hunch is Amy wanted to get arrested so she could add it to her credits.

On Friday she took it up a notch, publicly announcing on her Instagram platform that she had instructed her agents to accept no proposals to appear in any Super Bowl ads this year. Evidently that’s the new rage for the in crowd, with multiple reports that Rihanna turned down a spot in honor of Colin Kaepernick’s absence.

This season three NFL players have taken a knee during the national anthem -- the Carolina Panthers' Eric Reid and Miami Dolphins' Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson. Amy wants a renewed response, as she mentioned in her Friday Instagram:

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“ … OTHERWISE, HOW ARE YOU NOT COMPLICIT?”

AMYSCHUMER: Friday thought. I wonder why more white players aren’t kneeling. Once you witness the truly deep inequality and endless racism people of color face in our country, not to mention the police brutality and murders. Why not kneel next to your brothers? Otherwise how are you not complicit? I think it would be cool if @maroon5 backed out of super bowl like @badgalriri Did. I personally told my reps I wouldn’t do a Super Bowl commercial this year. I know it must sound like a privilege ass sacrifice but it’s all i got. Hitting the nfl with the advertisers is the only way to really hurt them. I know opposing the nfl is like opposing the nra. Very tough, but don’t you want to be proud of how you’re living? Stand up for your brothers and sisters of color. And the hottest thing a guy can do is get down on one knee. Not to propose but to reject the treatment of his teammates by this country. Anyone who says its disrespectful to our military please read up on the fact that a lot of veterans are proud of what @kaepernick7 is doing and fully support him. What are your thoughts?

* * *

Well, I am so happy Amy asked! Several months ago in My Morning Readings I came across a beautiful letter that very succinctly answers that very question. The letter speaks for thousands of millions who feel very differently. Unfortunately, this wasn’t posted on Instagram or Facebook but, hey, it still made me cry.

Several years ago we are told Amy made a bundle doing a Super Bowl spot for Bud Light. It’s my bet she won’t be hearing much more from the Budweiser crowd. Make sure you catch the video at the end of this column, but – first - this one’s for you Amy …

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‘MORE THAN THAT, THIS IS WHAT I REALLY SEE … ”

I see you, professional football player, as you kneel down during the playing of the National Anthem… I see you, with your arm raised in protest… I see you thinking you are doing something to unite people over social and racial injustice.

I see you…

But, more than that here is what I really see… I see a man pushing the wheels of his wheelchair as he returns home from a foreign land unable to function as he once did, due to fighting to protect you as you kneel on the ground.

I see a young widow, dressed carefully in black, mourning the remains of her husband, hugging a coffin on the tarmac of an airport. I see that same woman clutching a perfectly folded flag to her bosom as taps is played at his graveside. I see her young son, tears streaming down his face, knowing his father would never come home again.

I see graveyards full of tombstones, here and overseas, with names of those fallen, with dates showing a much too early death. I see so many, from so many different wars and conflicts, crosses and stones. They are too numerous to count.

I see the sacrifices made, the hearts broken, the tears shed, the shattered lives all in the name of freedom… all in the name of that red, white and blue piece of cloth that you choose to protest.

Social and racial injustice? You who make millions of American dollars for playing a game in a country where you have more opportunity to make a better life for you and your family than anywhere in the world? Really? The hypocrisy of it astounds me.

First of all, if you really want to protest, give your money and time to make changes. Give to those less fortunate than you. Help those people get an education, buy them food and shelter. Show them opportunities to make better decisions. Teach them that they have a purpose in life.

If you really want to protest injustices… Protest the treatment of veterans, who have to wait extremely long periods of time for healthcare, who are living under interstate bridges, in boxes, who are committing suicide. Today over twenty of them will take their lives out of hopelessness and despair.

There is no greater injustice than that.

Protest the loss of religious rights as some atheist complained so much that public prayer by a group of young players on an athletic field is not allowed.

When I see that flag, when I hear that song, when I sing those words, I give homage to those who died for this land, who continue to protect this land, who don’t know if and when they will ever see their loved ones again. Some say that they died for your freedom so that you can take a knee. I say they died for your freedom so you can stand proudly and be thankful that God has blessed you enough that you can live in a country of so much opportunity.

Go ahead…

Go ahead and kneel…

Go ahead and be ungrateful.

I am watching…

As are millions and millions of others.

We don’t see a protest of unity… we see a protest of disgraceful ignorance!

* * *

THESE ARE THE FACES OF SACRIFICE

Note: In May of this spring, this video was produced by Budweiser in support of its participation in the “Folds of Honor” program. It has been viewed 3.9 million times.

- - -

40 scholarship recipients. 10 Budweiser brewers. One life-changing moment.

Since 2011, Budweiser has donated $14 million to help support the families of our heroes. This summer, for every case of Freedom Reserve purchased, Budweiser (has donated) $1 to Folds of Honor — a non-profit that provides military scholarships to families of fallen or wounded soldiers.

This Bud’s From Our Heroes, #ThisBudsForYou. To see the video CLICK HERE.

To learn more about the partnership with Folds of Honor, visit http://www.budweiser.com/.

* * *

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their land.” – II Chronicles 7:14

royexum@aol.com

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