MILK
Ollie Lee Taylor, Recording Secretary
I could not help but reflect, as I watched MILK, on the attractive portrayal and presentation of the man and his passion in the realm of the GLBT movement. I also was struck that effort was made to show how others interacted and worked with him to reach common goals. It was realistic in letting one know that social change isn't easy and it can carry a deep personal price.
Harvey Milk wasn't a political wunderkind in winning elections. In fact, he had to run in four before he won one. It took the institution of single member districts before he achieved that win. However, when there was a specific issue, like the Briggs Amendment as Proposition Six was called, which would have banned gays from teaching in California public schools, he and others were able to put together a coalition to defeat that effort. It could not be done with just gays and hippies in the Castro district of San Francisco. Coming at the time before there was an organization of gay/lesbian appointed officials or GLBT political PACS, Milk had to craft his campaigns and blaze his own trail. It is evident that he and others close to him felt it was important for the GLBT community to have a seat at the table. But, key to his coalition building was a measure of expertise and the will to deal with non-GLBT issues. It had to be done with skepticism among elements in the GLBT community.
I also ran for the city commission in Tallahassee back in 1982-1989 period and although I was not able to win, it was a learning experience. I recall one gay gentleman being so skeptical saying it was better to do such a thing in South Florida and that he'd rather concentrate on a new problem that had arisen...AIDS. Then there was the associate pastor of a church I attended who wondered why white gays didn't rally around what I was trying to accomplish. A few did, and ultimately some non-gays did, since on the third time out I got eleven percent or more than 1,300 votes. I even went before the legislature to argue against the anti-gay adoption laws passed in 1978 in the wake of the Anita Bryant/Alvin Dark "Save Our Children" movment that erupted more than 400 miles to the SE in Miami. That case is still being fought in Florida with a recent second ruling just weeks ago.
But, whether or not you are personally touched or involved with GLBT politics or any form of politics as I have been, I would recommend you view this film. You will also find plenty of contemporary relevancy to reflect upon and find the history and social aspects of it well worth your time. I agree with Rene Rodriguez who writing for the Miami Herald about this film noted, "Milk is an apologetically political film, and an uncommonly moving one at that, especially considering the prominence gay issues had at the polls... The more things change, the more they stay the same."
Contact: Ollie Lee Taylor, infantmystics@yahoo.com
Posted: modified by:Del Korte Modify date:2009-03-23 14:35:34