For those who have not yet seen the movie "Milk" with Sean Penn, Harvey Milk was the first homosexual public official in San Francisco and possibly the first in the entire nation. He was an advocate in protecting gay rights as well as other social causes like childcare facilities, low-rent housing, and free public transportation. What was surprising was that Milk was originally a strict conservative where his political viewpoints only began to shift over to the liberal side after he met his first partner, a director of a musical. Since then, he would always take action in what he believed in, even if it meant risking his successful job as a financial analyst. The article said, "In April 1970, he was so infuriated over the American invasion of Cambodia that he burned his BankAmericacard before a crowd of protesters." Even though he ended up getting fired, Milk took action and blatantly displayed his opposition against the Americans invading Cambodia. Another instance where Milk took action was when in 1973, he decided to run for the Board of Supervisors, the main governing body of the city. What made him decide to run for that position was because he was infuriated at politicians after the Watergate scandal. When I read about Milk's actions, I thought back to the theme of Civil Disobedience. Milk took action, despite possible failure. He believed that what the politicians did in the Watergate scandal was unjust and ran for the Board of Supervisors to try and do something about it. At first he was denied, but then later was accepted. In 1978, he enforced one of the strongest laws in the nation that protected homosexual rights. I admire Milk for his bravery and determination because even though he wasn't elected the first time for the Board of Supervisors, he tried again and ultimately found success. He never failed to ignore his beliefs and fought for gay rights despite most of the country preventing him from doing so. Milk's actions showed courage and independence, both characteristics being ones that other gay and lesbian activists needed to possess in order to fight for their rights and achieve success.
McGuire, William, and Leslie Wheeler. "Harvey Milk." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2010. http://www.americanhistory.abc-clio.com/
McGuire, William, and Leslie Wheeler. "Harvey Milk." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2010. http://www.americanhistory.abc-clio.com/
I also did a journal on Harvey Milk. I like how you talked about how this compares to Civil Disobedience. milk is acting according to what he wants to do and is disregarding society's views. Society does not accept what he is doing but he is doing it in spite of them because it will help the future of gays and lesbians. I also agree with the fact that other gay and lesbian activists need to be more like Milk. If all gay and lesbian people acted like Milk did, we would be making much more advancements in the category. If they want a more important role in society, it is very important that they act as Milk did and disregard the public opinion.
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