Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin (March 17, 1912 – August 24, 1987) was an American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights. He is best known for his work as an advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. and as the chief organizer of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.

Early Life and Education

Rustin was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Florence Rustin and was raised by his maternal grandparents, Julia and Janifer Rustin. His grandmother was a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), which influenced his lifelong commitment to nonviolence and social justice.

Rustin attended Wilberforce University, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, and later, the City College of New York. Although he did not graduate, his time at these institutions was formative in his development as a thinker and activist.

Activism and Civil Rights Work

Rustin's activism began in the 1930s when he joined the Young Communist League USA, but he left the organization in 1941 due to its shift in focus away from civil rights. He became a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) and worked with A. Philip Randolph on the proposed 1941 March on Washington, which was called off after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, prohibiting racial discrimination in the defense industry.

During World War II, Rustin was a conscientious objector and was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military. After the war, he continued his work with FOR and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), promoting nonviolent resistance to racial segregation.

The March on Washington

Rustin's most notable achievement was his role as the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Despite initial resistance due to his past affiliations and his open homosexuality, Rustin's organizational skills were crucial to the success of the march, which drew over 250,000 participants and featured Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech.

Later Life and Legacy

In the later years of his life, Rustin continued to advocate for human rights and social justice, focusing on the rights of gay and lesbian individuals. He was a founding member of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, which aimed to forge alliances between the civil rights movement and the labor movement.

Rustin's contributions to the civil rights movement were often overshadowed by his sexuality and past political affiliations, but his legacy has been increasingly recognized in recent years. In 2013, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Personal Life

Rustin was openly gay, which was unusual for the time, and he faced significant discrimination because of it. He had a long-term relationship with Walter Naegle, who became his partner in the later years of his life.

See Also

• Civil rights movement
• Nonviolent resistance
• LGBT rights in the United States

References

• D'Emilio, John. Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin. Free Press, 2003.
• Haskins, James. Bayard Rustin: Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movement. Hyperion Books, 1997.

External Links

• Bayard Rustin Educational Project
• Biography of Bayard Rustin