Comments on: Bayard Rustin - Uncredited architect of the Civil Rights Movement & the March on Washington

Bayard Rustin - Uncredited architect of the Civil Rights Movement & the March on Washington

y2karl — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 09:17:34 -0800

Hidden Sides, Hushed Ideals of a Civil Rights Strategist
Bayard Rustin - Quaker, former Young Communist cum anti-communist socialist, advocate of non-violence, ''known homosexual'' , architect of the March on Washington and, it goes without saying, great American. A critical socialist take on Rustin. Here, for our resident Malcolm X man, a debate between Rustin and X in 1960--do note the latter's views evolved greatly between then and his assassination--and here is Nat Hentoff on Rustin. A recent P.O.V. fim on Rustin - Brother Outsider.

By: nofundy

nofundy — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 12:33:21 -0800

You, y2karl, are an artist of MetaFilter posts. Thanks.

By: 111

111 — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 15:28:27 -0800

y2karl, thanks. It's weird that when someone finally posts something interesting about a homosexual character, the gay brigade stays silent. Where's the Queer Eye now? Regarding Bayard, he was a communist, so I automatically reject him.

By: y2karl

y2karl — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 16:32:11 -0800

Now, now... don't get too warm and fuzzy on us!

By: jann

jann — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 18:05:51 -0800

thank you for this post. I appreciate it greatly.

By: amberglow

amberglow — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 18:40:19 -0800

we're here; we're queer; and we like Rustin, although many in his time didn't. Rustin's pals and associates knew he was gay, and kept him in the background because of it--something you find in many republican circles, no? And the enemies of Civil Rights (paging Lott and Thurmond) used his sexual orientation against the movement...a pity. It's interesting what you find interesting, 111

By: amberglow

amberglow — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 18:54:46 -0800

thinking about it--he was kinda like Karl Rove, but for good people, no? I would have loved to have met and talked with him...a social studies teacher of mine in high school who had gone on freedom rides in college always used to include him when we learned about the history and important figures of the civil rights movement.

By: madamjujujive

madamjujujive — Tue, 26 Aug 2003 00:14:48 -0800

I saw that POV on pbs awhile back, or at least most of it, and I was blown away because I didn't know a thing about Bayard Rustin. I meant to look up more about him but never did, so thanks for this most excellent post. I've only read the first few articles but will catch up with the rest tomorrow. Another keeper to add to the y2k bookmark file. amberglow, I like your Rove for good people metaphor ;-)

By: jonmc

jonmc — Tue, 26 Aug 2003 06:20:54 -0800

the gay brigade stays silent. Ah yes, the gay brigade. They're the one's with the chiffon uniforms, right?

By: amberglow

amberglow — Tue, 26 Aug 2003 09:33:52 -0800

we're going satin this year, jon--with piping and ruching!