Good Day, Mr. Milk.

This is Harvey Milk.

I recently watched a film made in 2008 ("Milk") that portrayed his life and struggle being the first openly homosexual man elected for public office in the state of California, actually, anywhere in the United States. At the time, anti gay activists like Anita Bryant were all over the news; bashing gay communities mercilessly. Many police officials were against gay rights, making it impossible to report unfair treatment against homosexuals. Not only that, but police were often the ones performing the injustices. Not enough people were taking a stand, and if they were, not enough people were listening. It is impossible to change the mind of a discriminatory person, but it is possible to mentally free and grant rights to those being discriminated against. It is known that the average person typically listens to those ranking in higher stature, (government officials). Harvey Milk knew that, which was most likely why he ran for the position. Although all odds were against him, he made it happen after three elections. He was only in office from January 8-November 27, 1978. But in his short time, he proved to many people that the way homosexuals are treated is nothing but a civil rights issue. 

After seeing this movie, I wanted to find out more.

And after my reading and research, I have made it a point in my life to realize that a person is a person, no matter how they look or act.

I have always been open minded to all races and social classes and everything else, but like most other people, I have my subconscious judgments. The story of Mr. Milk has made me realize how simply loving others, no matter who they are, can change the world. Even if you take a stand for something, anything, it is never a waste. Because someone is listening. And they might share that information with someone else, who might pass it on. And the word continues.

In 2009, society as a whole doesn't face the same issues. But those who grew up in a time of extraordinary prejudice have families of their own now. They are the ones making the household rules, not the government. They could potentially spread their beliefs, often creating a racially toxic household. But its our job to make that kind of cycle stop here. 

People like Harvey Milk and Martin Luther King started the change, now let our generation finish the job. People with their kind of courage are one in a million, but as for the normal people, togetherness is key in changing the world.

 

Here is an article I found regarding Milks death in 1978.

"While his first three tries for office failed, they lent Milk the credibility and positive media focus that probably no openly gay person ever had. Not everyone cheered, of course, and death threats multiplied. Milk spoke often of his ineluctable assassination, even recording a will naming acceptable successors to his seat and containing the famous line: "If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door."

Two bullets actually entered his brain. It was Nov. 27, 1978, in city hall, and Mayor George Moscone was also killed. Fellow supervisor Daniel White, a troubled anti-gay conservative, had left the board, and he became unhinged when Moscone denied his request to return. White admitted the murders within hours."- The Time 100