Milk: The Definition of a Dignitary Used lightly in today’s society, the word “leader” is commonly used to refer to a person who comes out and directs a group to take action in some way, shape, or form. By this definition, a good leader would be one whose directions land the group he or she is directing above all other groups. But in certain instances, like the ones of Odysseus and Harvey Milk, a leader isn’t always someone who is trying to be greater than those around them, they’re simply just people who make it their life mission to make the quality of the lives of those around them better. According to Dictionary, the definition of leadership is the position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group. With almost all
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450 years later, Homer wrote The Odyssey — the epic story of a Trojan War hero and leader, Odysseus, and his perilous 10 year journey home to Ithaca. In The Lotus Eaters, Odysseus’ leadership is clearly shown as he devotes himself to ensuring that his crew doesn’t lose sight of their ultimate goal — returning home: “Then I sent out two picked men and a runner to learn what race of men that land sustained. They fell in, soon enough, with Lotus Eaters … those who ate this honeyed plant, the Lotus, never cared to report, not to return: they longed to stay forever, browsing on the native bloom, forgetful of their homeland. I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down under their rowing benches, and called the rest: ‘all hands aboard; come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home,” …show more content…
Unfortunately, Dan White, a fellow San Francisco City Supervisor, absolutely appalled all movements lead by Milk. Deciding he had had enough, On November 27, 1978, White snuck into City Hall through a window in the basement, avoiding security, and proceeded to shoot and kill both Harvey Milk and liberal Mayor George Moscone (The Legacy 1). Going above and beyond the definition of a leader, Milk’s legacy continued to lead movements across the nation even after he was gone. On the night of his and Mayor Moscone’s deaths, a crowd of thousands marched from Milk’s home neighborhood of Castro to City Hall in a silent candlelight vigil which is recognized as one of the most eloquent responses to violence that a community has ever expressed (Milk 3). Forever cementing himself as an accomplished leader, Milk famously stated: “If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door,” (Milk 3). And so it did. An almighty and devoted leader, Milk’s death and legacy debatably initiated a shift in public opinion about the LGBT community as many decided it was time to come out of their closets thanks to the inspiring leadership of Harvey Milk (Milk 4). Although his mission wasn’t accomplished as Harvey Milk’s was, Odysseus, much like Milk, undeniably held the necessary
450 years later, Homer wrote The Odyssey — the epic story of a Trojan War hero and leader, Odysseus, and his perilous 10 year journey home to Ithaca. In The Lotus Eaters, Odysseus’ leadership is clearly shown as he devotes himself to ensuring that his crew doesn’t lose sight of their ultimate goal — returning home: “Then I sent out two picked men and a runner to learn what race of men that land sustained. They fell in, soon enough, with Lotus Eaters … those who ate this honeyed plant, the Lotus, never cared to report, not to return: they longed to stay forever, browsing on the native bloom, forgetful of their homeland. I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down under their rowing benches, and called the rest: ‘all hands aboard; come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home,” …show more content…
Unfortunately, Dan White, a fellow San Francisco City Supervisor, absolutely appalled all movements lead by Milk. Deciding he had had enough, On November 27, 1978, White snuck into City Hall through a window in the basement, avoiding security, and proceeded to shoot and kill both Harvey Milk and liberal Mayor George Moscone (The Legacy 1). Going above and beyond the definition of a leader, Milk’s legacy continued to lead movements across the nation even after he was gone. On the night of his and Mayor Moscone’s deaths, a crowd of thousands marched from Milk’s home neighborhood of Castro to City Hall in a silent candlelight vigil which is recognized as one of the most eloquent responses to violence that a community has ever expressed (Milk 3). Forever cementing himself as an accomplished leader, Milk famously stated: “If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door,” (Milk 3). And so it did. An almighty and devoted leader, Milk’s death and legacy debatably initiated a shift in public opinion about the LGBT community as many decided it was time to come out of their closets thanks to the inspiring leadership of Harvey Milk (Milk 4). Although his mission wasn’t accomplished as Harvey Milk’s was, Odysseus, much like Milk, undeniably held the necessary