When Benjamin Smith and Marcus Ellis think of friendship, they think about sitting down and sharing a beer where they can chat about work and life. They share jokes, they share memories, they share camaraderie.
Even though they come from different backgrounds, one thing stays the same for both of them. They don’t see color. They only see a true friend.
The pair has known each other for years. They met on the job building cell phone towers together.
Benjamin served in the Marine Corps and Marcus hails from Long Island. But they can’t imagine life today without the other, Marcus said.
“He’s my Robin. Batman and Robin, exactly what it is… I think we’re just goofy, silly and like to have fun; we don’t care what people say.”
But after the death of Minnesotan George Floyd and the subsequent protests that spanned the country, the best friends decided to do something a bit different to let their opinion be known, Marcus shared.
“Another one down. It’s pretty sad. People have a right to protest, people have a right to share their voice, but there’s a right way going about things, and a wrong way going about things.”
So they set up lawn chairs in front of Benjamin’s house in Pittsford and prominently displayed signs that say:
“Black or white, relax and have a beer.”
Today, I had a chance to catch up with two great guys, Benjamin Smith and Marcus Ellis. These two best friends have set up camp at Smith’s house in Pittsford on Jeff. Road, saying “Black or white, relax and have a beer.” #ROC @News_8 pic.twitter.com/N5fP2qtxWH
— Dan Gross (@DJG_Music) June 3, 2020
The guys were thrilled when a handful of people latched on to their idea and pulled up a chair to chill with them. Benjamin has a large lawn and everyone can sit and social distance just fine, he said.
Benjamin reminds people that veterans like him didn’t serve for others to die the way George Floyd did.
“I fought for a free America, a just America. When I heard about the George Floyd incident, it really really upset me. That’s not what I fought for.”
Their movement has caught attention with people snapping pics of the pair lounging with their signs. People love it!
“I came out black, he came out white, let’s have a beer. Alcohol brings people together, and we like to smile and laugh, so it’s perfect.”
Regardless of their skin color, Benjamin and Marcus emphasize that it truly is what’s inside that makes a person who he or she really is. And right now, that’s being overlooked.
“I’m equal, just like you. I bleed, you bleed, I breathe, you breathe. This is the proper way of doing something. unite, come together as a whole.”
Even though their mission is small, it’s mighty. Their story is spreading far and wide and the friends want everyone to know that something needs to be done.
“It’s insane. It’s such a cool feeling that we’re making such a big impact across the community, and what seems to be across the U.S. What makes change is good people.”
The men’s motives caught the attention of country music star Brad Paisley. Although he couldn’t fly to their hotspot and chill with them in person, he could still participate in his own way.
Brad sent the men hundreds of dollars worth of beer then hopped on Zoom to have a virtual chat. In fact, he bought out all of the Budweiser and Bud Light at a nearby store.
“Man, I am so thrilled to meet you, face to face like this. I’m so inspired by you, and we thought we should deliver more beer than you could possibly drink.”
Despite being a superstar, Brad admitted that he, too, could be educated further and hopefully be a spark that jumpstarts change.
“I’m trying to hear out my friends in the black community, that’s what you guys are doing together, [it’s] the same thing. I’m all ears, always have been. I’ve had big ears my whole life.
Marcus and Benjamin were stunned by Brad’s Zoom session with them and his generosity with the gift of beer.
“Through the rioting and protests, I felt like I was being torn apart, and it was rough … And this is what builds it back up.”
It may have seemed like a crazy idea at first, but it’s really catching on! Kudos to these two men for standing up and speaking out in their own way.
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