The Characteristics Of Harvey Milk

Most people do not realize the sacrifices and risk that civil right leaders had to make. Civil right leaders constantly risk their lives and their freedom. Civil right leaders fought for equality and freedom for African Americans. Over 70% of African Americans were experiencing segregation and discrimination during the civil right movement. African Americans only had one another for support, so during this time African Americans appreciated civil right leaders. During the civil rights movement, many leaders helped African Americans cope with changes that they were experiencing. Some African Americans looked up to civil rights leaders, because they were African American, so they knew how it felt to be mistreated by whites. African American

Harvey Milk, though he had “known since high school that he was gay” (Biography), was initially outwardly ambivalent to legislation passed against the LGBTQ community. This all changed after he befriended a group of “gay radicals” in his mid-forties. They propelled him into the politically charged world of activism, in which he developed his voice, and stood out as a leader in the LGBTQ community. Milk stood on the steps of the San Francisco’s City Hall to celebrate Gay Freedom, but also to

There were many people throughout the history of the United States that helped to get equality for African Americans; however, one man's voice moved an entire race. That one man is Martin Luther King, Jr. He has a way of making you listen when he speaks and of making you understand his ideas. Many people did listen and he motivated a whole race of people to strive with him on his quest for equality. The events in his life from early life, civil rights, and later life led him to be one of the most powerful people in the movement towards civil rights.

Homosexual people have been misrepresented and refuted their basic civil rights in America over the years, especially during the late 1970s. During this time, Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, was one of the most prominent spokesman on the issues surrounding gay rights. In 1978 he gave a speech impacting the gay citizens of San Francisco and America, the anti-gay right wing movement supporters, straight allies of the gay movement, and politicians in general. His speech known as the “Hope Speech” resonates with people even today as Milk attempted to address gay rights and the importance of electing gay officials in office, using various rhetorical strategies such as pathos, logos, and elevated diction.

He was able to take leaps in an industry when African Americans were not afforded the opportunities other races were privileged to partake in. During this era segregation was prevalent. African Americans

He set out to change America for the good, and in doing that, he changed many lives.

The civil rights movement was a monumental part of history and still has a large impact on society today. Martin Luther King Jnr took charge in leading the movement and achieved many things while he was leading it. The civil rights movement may not have even taken place without King and everting he put into the movement to make it happen. Malcolm X was another very influential leader that was taking charge to be a part of the movement, but had a very different approach.

Though Marion Barry faced many obstacles, he was able to change the black community in several ways. Even though many people judged him for previous mishaps, he had many hopes and concerns for African Americans.

Have you ever been treated unfairly or beaten for something you can’t control. Well Jackie Robinson is a great example of this. Jackie Robinson is a influential advocate of civil rights through his action including breaking the color barrier, fundraising for the poverty and, by speaking out about black rights.

Jesse Jackson, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B DuBois are all African American leaders. All of these men were leaders in their own time and their own sense, living in different eras with different views, but they all shared common ground. All four were African Americans trying to overcome obstacles and become influential leaders in their society.

Well a great civil rights leader is JFK (John Fitzgerald Kennedy), he was a good man and was not racist. My 3 examples that he was a great leader are the Equal Pay Act, Executive Order 10925, and the Peace Corp.

In addition to the book written about him, Harvey also inspired the creation of plays, music, operas, films, and movies, including the award winning movies, The Times of Harvey Milk and Milk (2009) (Milk Foundation). Today, people are generally more accepting of gay in society. Clearly, Harvey Milk is now idolized as a man who changed people’s lives for the

Harvey Milk said, “If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.”(Aretha 83). Harvey Milk was the first gay politician that moved people’s hearts. He changed the way people thought about gay people back in the 1970’s. Defending homosexuals from criticism, he civilized them with the people. Since the background of homosexuality was harsh which affected Harvey Milk’s early life, he took the action to process of becoming civilized as an officer, and he left many legacies.

Not all leaders are famous like Martin Luther King, most leaders are ordinary people; you can walk down the street and run into someone and not know that they are a very powerful leader. I personally know of a good leader that is an ordinary person; my father. Although some people believe that leaders are born and not made, I believe that anyone can become a leader if they have enough courage and are thick skinned. There are many words that people come up with when they are asked to describe what makes a good leader. The most popular characteristics used to describe a good leader would be a good listener, responsible, and decisive. When you think of what makes a good leader you should also ask what kind of education they have and what

Harvey Milk: one of the first elected openly gay officials in the history of the United States, and the first to be in California. Milk became one of the most important figures throughout the history of the gay rights movement, and extremely important. He also gained credit for strong gay rights movements and passed many ordinances for gay rights within the city while in office. Since his death, he has been highly regarded as one of the most brave and important political figures in American History. Barack Obama, when mentioning him, said, “His voice stirred the aspirations of millions of people... and his message of hope- hope unashamed, hope unafraid- could never be silence.” These words perfectly describe Milk’s unflinching courage when it came to his activism.