Have you ever stood up for something you believed in?
Have you ever stood up for something you believed in?
Wave a Flag for Harvey Milk
Hi all,
Thank you for joining me for today’s song, “Wave a Flag for Harvey Milk”, by Mr. Greg & Cass McCombs. If you’d like to hear the song before you read about it, I’ve included a YouTube video below the article.
Below, you’ll find my interpretation of the lyrics which are written in italics. Comments and questions are welcome. For Japanese students, vocabulary words in bold are provided in Japanese below. TOEFL (PBT) 450+, Eiken 2, CEFR B1.
(483 words)
Today’s song is about a man named Harvey Milk. He was born on May 22, 1930, in Woodmere, New York. Harvey grew up in a Jewish family and went to school like other kids. After high school, he joined the Navy and served on a submarine during the Korean War.
After the war, Harvey did many different jobs. He worked as a teacher and a camera store owner. In 1972, he moved to San Francisco and opened a camera shop in a neighborhood called the Castro, which had many gay people living there.
Harvey was gay, and he wanted to help other gay people get the same rights as everyone else. He decided to run for a job in the city government. He tried three times and lost, but he didn't give up. In 1977, Harvey was finally elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This made him one of the first openly gay people to hold an important public office in the United States.
As a supervisor, Harvey worked hard to make life better for everyone. He fought for gay rights, but he also wanted to help older people, children, and workers. He believed that everyone should be treated fairly.
Harvey Milk believed in rights for all, he did not discriminate
He stood up for his people down by the Golden Gate
He spoke of justice, peace, and love, things we all appreciate
And his influence is felt today in each and every state
Not everyone liked what he was doing, and some people were very mean to him, but Harvey kept working because he knew it was the right thing to do. He gave a famous speech in which he said, "You gotta give 'em hope," because he believed that hope could change the world.
Harvey was an activist and we can also be
When we celebrate our differences and promote diversity
Erase hate, fear, intolerance, and live both proud and free
And let your heart be full of love just like our friend Harvey
Harvey's life was cut short on November 27, 1978. A man named Dan White shot and killed Harvey Milk and the mayor of San Francisco, George Moscone. Harvey was only 48 years old.
Even though he died, Harvey's work didn't stop. Many people remembered his bravery and continued to fight for the rights he believed in. Today, the late Harvey Milk is a hero to many people.
Because Harvey and millions of other people have stood up for what is right, there is more understanding today in countries around the world about people who belong to the LGBTQ+ community.
Well, if you can hear us, Harvey, we're happy to report
The LGBT community is given more support
But we still fight for love for all 'cause love's the only thing that's true
And we advocate for what we believe, just like you used to do
Questions
Harvey worked to make life better for everyone, not just himself. Is there a cause or group of people you would like to help? What are some ways you can support them or raise awareness?
Even though some people were mean to Harvey, he continued to do what he believed was right. Have you ever stood up for something you believed in, even when it was difficult? What gave you the strength to keep going?
Vocabulary
Board of Supervisors 監督委員会
discriminate 差別する
justice 正義
appreciate 評価
influence 影響
mean 意地悪
activist 活動家
diversity 多様性
intolerance 不寛容
the late 故人
advocate 擁護者
Harvey Milk’s famous “Give ‘em Hope” speech. In the speech, he mentions Anita Bryant and John Briggs. In 1978, these two people tried to stop gay or lesbian teachers from teaching in public schools. They created a proposition (asking the public if it should become a law). The voters said “NO”.
Being an ally to LGBT friends is easy. Read more about how you can do that here:
