Revolutionary. Innovator. Activist. Author. Cleve Jones goes by many names and on Tuesday afternoon spoke at Central Oregon Community College’s Wille Hall in a majority-youth audience, as part of the Season for Non-Violence series. Jones led an informal discussion and navigated everything from his journey with Harvey Milk to ongoing national issues. He likened the current regime to that of 1930s Germany and advocated for those in the audience to not just be advocates but have a “Plan B” for leaving the country.
Though sometimes punctuated with wry humor the discussion held a solemn tone throughout; Jones detailed the toll it took on him to find Harvey Milk’s body after his assassination, the civil liberties currently threatened, his assertion that “Every victory is impermanent.” His voice carried a weight that only comes with age.
Born in 1954, Jones knew early in his life that he was different, and after years of bullying it was in 1968 that he “looked in the mirror one day and said, ‘You’re gay. That’s the thing. That’s what’s going on. You’re gay. And you need to get the hell out of Phoenix.’”
Jones then spent some time on the streets of San Francisco as a self-described street urchin before Milk took him in and urged him to pursue higher education. A father figure to Jones, much of Milk’s beliefs remain with him today, like being easily understandable.
But Milk also preached being open to those of opposite beliefs, a staunch supporter of civil disagreements. Jones discussed how even in a neighborhood of majority-Trump voters both he and they are able to get along; the bigger picture of possible natural disasters supersedes voter preference, Jones said.
Jones listed the many dangers of being openly gay at that time as well–the potential to lose one’s job, family, even mind at the hands of lobotomies and electro-shock therapy. He compared it to being a part of a secret society and joked that it was more fun to be gay when it was illegal.
A veteran of advocacy, Jones offered much advice on the subject. To avoid burnout he advised finding a passion that one loves, that brings joy.
“You’re all different, but I promise you every single one of you has some special, unique gift, some attribute, that you can bring to our country and our world right now in this very perilous moment,” he said.
To deal with the current presidential administration, Jones advised the room to put aside their perceived differences and focus on the billionaires–the originators of many of the world’s problems, stretching back decades. He said society made a lapse in judgement in believing that progress is inevitable.
“I think it came from Dr. (Martin Luther) King originally about the arc of, the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends towards justice. You’ve heard this quote. Yeah, it bends towards justice if you keep pushing it that way!”
Jones encouraged everyone to target the only thing billionaires seem to care about: their pocketbooks. We all have the ability to inflict economic damage, he said, and the power to call for a general strike, stopping the flow of millions of dollars. When up against a seemingly unstoppable force Jones advised to look for its weaknesses, “the cracks,” to exploit and push back.
He also discussed the ongoing and sweeping cultural shift, the constant push against LGBTQ+ culture yet shows like “Heated Rivalry,” dominate the mainstream and push new boundaries for representation.
Jones expressed pity for the new generation, for the “terrifying reality” they must grow into, and highlighted the ongoing dichotomy: to stay and fight back against oppression or flee to another country. He said no matter the appearance, gender or sexuality, of an individual, be ready to leave. He asserted that it’s that bad.
“I’m sorry I can’t be more upbeat, but let’s be real.”
