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Milk Film Analysis

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Don’t let the movie title, Milk, fool you. The movie’s title has nothing to do with the milk beverage. Sorry milk enthusiast. On the other hand, for those who love politics then this is the movie for you. This movie is solely focused on American Democracy. The protagonist, Harvey Milk, is an openly gay politician who is a victim of the discrimination that occurs against the LGBTQ society. In efforts to create change, Harvey Milk decides to run for city supervisor. Throughout his candidacy, he is confronted by idealist who want unconstitutional ordinances to be passed. When Harvey Milk is finally elected he establishes ordinances that protect homosexual’s rights. Many people vote against him, but in the end he wins with plurality of votes.
Gus Van Sant, the director of the movie, chose to include every detail that he possibly could to relate this movie to American Democracy. He strategically included heterosexual and homosexual actors to spark a political debate. The director clearly wanted to make a point about the discrmination against the LGBTQ society. He emphasizes this by having homosexuals march down the streets of San Francisco, destroying city property. …show more content…

freedom. Anita Bryant and candidates who run against Milk emphasize how homosexuality goes against God, therefore, it should be illegal. They believe that homosexuals should be outcasted and their freedom infringed upon, favoring inequality. While the LGBTQ soicety favors equality and believes that no matter one’s sexual preference they are entitled to freedom. This growing controversy can be related to whether or not same sex marriage be allowed. Religion seems to play an important and controversial role between issues that involve the LGBTQ society. Before American Democracy can answer any of these questions, a line needs to be drawn between politics and

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1. Milkman’s time at home Macon Dead III, commonly known as Milkman, is Ruth and Macon’s son. He is born the day when Mr. Robert Smith suicidal flies off the hospital’s roof and for that reason he is the first black baby born in the usual unmerciful, racist No Mercy Hospital in 1931. As the son of Ruth and Macon Dead, he is part of the upper black society in a wealthy, privileged family. Grown up under these circumstances, Milkman has a traumatized father since his father witnessed the murder of Jake, Macon’s father, trying to protect his land which is in the way of powerful white people as a young guy.

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As a skilled person, Milk got promotion frequently than other workers in the firm. He has not been lonely for too long before he started a relationship with Jack Galen McKinley, who he later recruited to work for Barry Goldwater on his 1964 presidential campaign. Milk’s relationship with Jack Galen was troubled based on the fact that Galen was underage as at the time. When Milk decided to get involved in the political process of the state, the gay political community in San Francisco was damn not receptive to his campaign, as they felt he has not contributed significantly to the community.

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Milkman discovers his family name and history, and while on his journey, Milkman finds happiness, understanding, and a sense of identity. While the actual findings of his family is important, Milkman’s discovery of his own identity through his family’s history is the true take-away from the

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The first element of oppression that shows up in the film Milk is a defined norm. As described by Pharr a defined norm is, “a standard of rightness and often righteousness wherein all others are judged in relation to it.” This means that an entity, whether it be a business, a group of people, or a single individual; with influence in society has claimed or passed down a certain way of living that is considered “normal”. A common example of this is the classic societal “status quo”, which has evolved many times over the centuries from decade to decade, from generation to generation. During Milk’s campaign he was never treated as an equal or given the same respect as his counterparts, instead he was mocked and

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A brochure for “Reminder Day” expressed that homosexuals were often not treated as equals and that the Federal, state and local governments have shown bias towards these individuals. Although some religions would perceive homosexuality as a sin, the individuals are still human and should be given the same opportunities as the rest of the population. In the past, the Declaration of Independence promised natural rights for all men, but some rights were not realized for minority groups. Over time, parts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were revoked and amended so that in today’s world, all “men”, including women and minority groups, all have the same rights.

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Films are a great way of communicating a message to the viewers. One of the most controversial topics conveyed is politics and for this reason, Mr Smith Goes to Washington is a movie that explores the American political system through the life of Senator Jefferson Smith a newly elected politician. He comes out as a radical after realising that he cannot serve the interest of those who elected him to the government. The director of the film explores a radical sense ideological spectrum through a character who maintains integrity in the midst of harsh criticism in the political system. The director is radical trying to anger the political class and then win acclaim from the public.

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Hagar, Pilate, Macon Jr., and Guitar all vie for Milkman’s commitment pulling in him to achieve their goals for him. To Milkman, his life seems to lack an identity in which to base his life’s direction and purpose, “…trying to make up his mind whether to go forward or to turn back. The decision he made would be extremely important, but the way in which he made the decision would be careless, haphazard, and uninformed.” (Morrison, 69-70). Unwilling to commit himself to any one goal, Milkman rejects these options, choosing instead to continue his aimless drifting, cutting himself off from the people who care for him and the African-American community.

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Milkman’s acknowledgment of racism and change in attitude towards women ultimately highlights his maturity and the development of an unmaterialistic identity through his metaphorical

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Milk and Mayor Moscone both have schools named after them so that future generations will know the struggles that Milk and other gay and lesbian people faced. I wander what Harvey Milk would think about the recent law granting same-sex marriage. It’s a shame he isn’t here to witness all of his hard work being paid

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When debating the legalization of same sex marriage, religious reasoning and accusations of bigotry often provoke obstinance. Instead of reiterating those arguments, William J. Bennett, a prominent cultural conservative, former secretary of education, and author of The Book of Virtues, focuses on societal effects in his op-ed article, “Against Gay Marriage.” Though Bennett’s piece conveys partiality, it also attempts to discuss this issue scrupulously to ensure readers will consider his argument and perhaps accept his implications. While some of Bennett’s word choices convey tolerance of the gay community, his rhetoric incites readers to accept that preserving society requires marginalizing homosexuals.

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Milkman’s identity begins taking shape as a child with his family that constantly coddles him

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The future of same-sex marriage has long been a question in the United States; on June 26, 2015, under the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Obergefell v. Hodges, the country finally got an answer. In a five to four decision, the Supreme court determined that under the Fourteenth Amendment, marriage between same- sex couples is legal in all fifty states. Under this decision, states that had previously banned same-sex marriage will have to recognize and permit same-sex marriage within their boundaries. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges is a landmark decision that will not affect same-sex couples throughout the nation, but also every aspect of our society. Having been hired by a sociologist who wants to study the effect of

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First of all, the movie depicts the progress of gay community raising money to support the mineworkers while incorporating

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In 2015, the Obergefell v. Hodges case ended the “state bans on same-sex marriage”, therefore legalizing same-sex marriage (Important Supreme Court Cases). Now, “same-sex couples can now receive the benefits...of marriage that were largely exclusive to heterosexual couples” (Koch). The ruling has led to the modern fight for gay civil rights. Exposure to the LGBTQ+ community, the southern “Bathroom Bills”, and other fights for transgender rights, and the press for more LGBTQ+ representation in the media has erupted from this case. Both rulings had very big impacts on their respective communities.

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My second reason for supporting LGBT/ same-sex marriage is the reason for discrimination against marriage. The UDHR article number 7 illustrates that all people are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination. Furthermore, article 1 of the UDHR also indicates that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. We should act towards one another in a spirit of a brother. By denying the same right as anybody else just because you are different is a clear form of discrimination, and it goes against the constitution.

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