Harvey Milk

I saw "Milk" today and I came away really touched, sad and disappointed.

Harvey Milk was an activist who fought for not only gay rights, but also the rights for renters, seniors, minorities, women, teamsters, the working class, etc. Bottom line, he sought to help those whose rights are so often taken the government and big businesses. He changed so much and fought for so much that I found myself really disappointed with things today.

Milk and his team and every activist who fought against the Briggs Initiative faced an uphill battle, but they won. It reminded me of Prop 8 this year and I felt disappointed that Californians took things for granted this time around. California broke down barriers before (in 1978) but it just didn't happen this year. Whatever the reason, "Milk" reminded me that it could be done and that activism needs to organize to break down these prejudices.

San Francisco is not quite the city Milk fought and stood for. There is still a threat of conservatism that causes the rents to skyrocket, prevents public power from becoming a reality and builds condos instead of affordable, livable housing. Had Milk lived, what would he think of San Francisco today? Or how different would San Francisco be? Comfort and wealth has distracted this city from helping those who need it. I love San Francisco yet I feel that this city has not lived up to its promise.

The San Francisco Bay Guardian did a great issue last week about Harvey Milk and there are some really insightful articles. Read here.

Milk has become a martyr for gay rights, but his activism has become lost. I hope "Milk" brings that back and reignites a dialogue and gets people to become more involved.

Here is a speech that Milk gave (his "give them hope" speech) and it is truly inspiring.