John D'Emilio's article was a mini biography on Bayard Rustin's life, who I had never heard of until reading D'Emilio's writing. When describing Rustin D'Emilio says, "It would not be an exaggeration to claim that more than anyone else in the postwar era, he was a bridge linking the African-American freedom struggle, peace campaigns, and a socialist vision of economice democracy" (80). Rustin also identified himself as a homosexual. Throughout his life he fought for peace and equality, his main goal was to go from protests to politics. Rustin wanted this because he knew protests were simply not enough, politics were where the real changes were made.
Rustin was always involved, for example he joined the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in which the mission was to create racial equality in America. CORE worked on action projects and awareness, desegregating public places such as restaurants and theaters. In addition, in later years he became a member of a group called FOR. Rustin was even sent by FOR to Indian to meet with Gandhi's followers and Europe to meet with European pacifist leaders. Rustin was jailed for refusing to join the military, later he was jailed for committing sexual acts with other men. He arrest for his sexual acts gained a lot of negative attention from the press, and in 1946 he was once again arrested for committing a indecent act. After this arrest the FOR executive board issued a statement announcing Rustin's removal from the committee. This was the beginning of Rustin's suffering for his sexual orientation. As D'Emilio said "But, however he might interpret it, the fact remained that he had been branded and cut adrift by the world that had sustained him for twelve years" (85).
Rustin's next move involved him moving to New York city and joining the War Resisters League (WRL), another pacifist organization. During this time, roughly the mid 1950's things were heating up in Montgomery, Alabama for African Americans. Specifically in 1956 the boycotts were catching the publics attention due to their large numbers. Rustin decided to go to Montgomery to join the boycotts however he ran into trouble. D'Emilio says, "Om a cloak-and-dagger scenario whose details reamin obscure, pacifists and civil rights leaders in New York met, telephoned, and dispatched letters with dizzying speed. Rustin, they argued, was a danger to the movement. ... The FOR's southern field secretary, Glenn Smiley, was ordered to avoid any contact with Rustin" (86). Once again Rustin's took another blow to his confidence due to his past history of being a homosexual, that branded him for life.
On the bright side Rustin became MLK's closest advisor. Surprisingly, Rustin transformed King into a more peaceful, Gandhian person. Rustin organized the Southern Christin Leadership Conference (SCLC) which was to be a southern nonviolent movement. During this time King rarely made a move without first consulting with Rustin. Once again things were too good to be true for Rustin. Rustin thought it was time to get into politics to really make changes. But as D'Emilio says, "Adam Clayton Powell, the congressman from Harlem who fancied himself the black power broker in the Democratic Party, was not prepared to have a queer radical usurp his role" (88). Powell publicly threatened Rustin with having a sexual affair with King. MLK panicked and dismissed Rustin immediately.
In the 1960's Rustin began working on anti-nuclear campaigns. Also he found his way back into the civil rights movement, by becoming the deputy of the NACCP committee. During this time he was organizing the march on Washington. However, his conflict with Powell still remained, and the information was published in the national press. D'Emilio says, "Rustin was named a pervert before an audience of tens of millions" (90). Since the accusation was so public and was posted only two weeks prior to the march, the civil rights leaders had no choice but to back up Rustin, something that they had failed to do previously. This "cleared" Rustin's name and the march on Washington was obviously a huge success for civil rights in America. This gave Rustin the status of a leader and public recognition. In conclusion, the homophobic America people destroyed Rustin's reputation, career, and confidence. However, his determination and strength allowed him to fight and become a leader in the civil rights movement.
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