Harvey Milk
I always love watching the Oscars, and this year was no exception. Hugh Jackman hosted. Do I really need to say much more than that? Soooo pretty.........
*Ahem* (coming out of the daze)
Anyway. "Milk" won a couple of awards and I was very touched, and brought to tears by two of the acceptance speeches. First, the writer, Dustin Lance Black made a beautiful tribute to Harvey Milk:
"If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he would want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told they are less than by the churches, by the government, by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value, and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours."
Then, when Sean Penn won for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, I knew he would have something great to say, and he did.
"For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think it's a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that support," Penn said. "We've got to have equal rights for everyone."
I don't know what it is, but the story of Harvey Milk has always touched me in a very special way. I first learned about him in my Junior year of High School, during the Civil Rights unit in my History class. I chose to learn about the gay rights movement, and in doing so, I found out about Harvey Milk, his fight, success, and death. I was brought to tears by the story of a man who died before I was born, and whom I had never even heard of before. The story is so powerful, that I have a held it in a very special place. Now with the movie, the awards it has won, and the fight that is still being fought for gay rights, I am very happy to know about Harvey Milk, and grateful for having had the chance back in High School to learn about it.
I can only hope that both Black's and Penn's words will be heard, and that they might manage to sway at least one person. Maybe we really will all have equality someday, in the not too distant future. I sure hope so.
*Ahem* (coming out of the daze)
Anyway. "Milk" won a couple of awards and I was very touched, and brought to tears by two of the acceptance speeches. First, the writer, Dustin Lance Black made a beautiful tribute to Harvey Milk:
"If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he would want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told they are less than by the churches, by the government, by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value, and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours."
Then, when Sean Penn won for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, I knew he would have something great to say, and he did.
"For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think it's a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that support," Penn said. "We've got to have equal rights for everyone."
I don't know what it is, but the story of Harvey Milk has always touched me in a very special way. I first learned about him in my Junior year of High School, during the Civil Rights unit in my History class. I chose to learn about the gay rights movement, and in doing so, I found out about Harvey Milk, his fight, success, and death. I was brought to tears by the story of a man who died before I was born, and whom I had never even heard of before. The story is so powerful, that I have a held it in a very special place. Now with the movie, the awards it has won, and the fight that is still being fought for gay rights, I am very happy to know about Harvey Milk, and grateful for having had the chance back in High School to learn about it.
I can only hope that both Black's and Penn's words will be heard, and that they might manage to sway at least one person. Maybe we really will all have equality someday, in the not too distant future. I sure hope so.