I caught myself brimming with tears while watching this fantastic docu-drama highlighted by a brilliant performance from Sean Penn. I can't help but remember a time early on in his career when he was accused of being an opportunist riding the coat tails of Madonna and now he is clearly one of the most talented and multi-faceted actors in Hollywood. Aside from the fact that some scenes were just downright moving, I realized at the end of the film that alot of my tears were a response to the sudden reality that I have been ignorant towards a whole chunk of American history. My partner was shocked that I had never heard of Harvey Milk. And after seeing this amazing portrait of the first openly gay man elected to public office, I was equally shocked. During my school years I clearly remember being taught about the plight and struggle for rights within the African-American community. I also recall a better than fair amount of history being given to us surrounding the process of the women's rights movement. But, needless to say, the gay rights movement wasn't exactly...ahem, highlighted. I sit here in serious doubt that this fundamental part of our cultural history will ever be common cirriculum within our school districts. Yet anyone, from any angle, that has ever taken issue with law enforcement over-stepping it's bounds would be doing themselves a great disservice not to invest at least a little time learning about what homosexuals went through in the 60's and 70's. Indeed, through all the work of gay activists of the last few decades, their discrimination has resulted in my acceptance. For this I am truly grateful to every man that was taken away from a gay establishment in handcuffs.
So this is where my responsibility comes into play.
I'm too old to blame the school districts for not teaching me more.
And I'm too young not to invest time in doing my own research.
Indeed, as a gay American it is my duty to learn about the pain of the past so that I might do more to encourage the advancement of our rights in the future.
And for that....I am responsible.
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I am hopeful that with Gay issues more in the forefront of the news that my kids might get taught something about it while in school. I mean lets face it, 20yrs ago when I was in high school there were NO openly gay students. Today I think that there are more coming out earlier and that might make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. Close to 20yrs for me as well and I wouldn't have dreamed of coming out to my peers at the time. High school was hard enough without THAT added pressure. For me it doesn't have to do with gay or straight. It's all about accepting that people are different and I can't imagine there is such a thing as teaching TOO much of that in the school systems......Thanks for your comment!
ReplyDeleteHow was the movie? I was wondering if it seemed over the top or true to life. From the sounds of it you liked it alot.
ReplyDeleteIt was really terrific. Not over the top at all. Alot of old footage of San Francisco from those days woven through to really bring you into the moment and time. Can't say enough about Sean Penn's performance. Very easy to get lost in his character. I'd say A-
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