As Amy Schumer’s Profile Rises, It’s Admirable That She Refuses To Back Down From Her Views
Nearly two weeks have passed since a gunman opened fire during the screening of Trainwreck at a Louisiana theater, injuring nine people, killing two people, and himself. Actress and comedienne Amy Schumer has not shied away from taking a stand against gun violence, she has pledged to become strongly involved in efforts to hinder gun violence, and has joined forces with her cousin, Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to speak out about his new legislation to tackle gun violence.
The proposed legislation would reward states that submit information to the background-check system and penalize states that don’t comply. The plan will focus on a three-angle approach to fighting mass shootings, detailed background checks, and mental health funding. During a press conference on Monday Amy Schumer visibly emotional demanded, “These shootings have got to stop. I don’t know how else to say it.”
Days after the shooting in the Lafayette movie theater, the daughter of Sandy Hook shooting survivor posted an open letter to Schumer. Sarah Clements, whose mother was a survivor of the 2012 shooting in Newton, Connecticut shared a beautiful letter supporting Schumer’s work and calling her to become a leader and join the movement—“I know deep down that the tweet you sent after the shooting was not all that you’ve got. And we need your voice in this movement. We need your help.”
Once again, @sfclem writes a brilliant, passionate piece about #gunviolence – this time, to @amyschumer —https://t.co/5Um9kpLgs1
— Christine D (@cdickason11) August 1, 2015
@cdickason11 @sfclem Her name was Mayci, not Marci and I think about her and Jillian everyday. Don’t worry I’m on it. You’ll see.
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) August 1, 2015
My heart is broken and all my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Louisiana.
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) July 24, 2015
As Schumer’s profile rises, it is admirable that she refuses to take a step back from her politically-charged views. She could just have easily avoided the unsettling, malevolent issue of gun control in the U.S. and issued a generic condolence message. But that would be unlike Schumer, she is not one to shy away from ‘controversial’ topics, which are avid in her artistic works and her public speeches regarding body positivity and female equality, which the shooter, John Russel Houser hated. Houser had a history of domestic violence and was an active member online to communities that hailed white supremacy and homophobic beliefs. So for Schumer, this was a personal attack against everything she embraces.
Image via Philly.com
