01.30.2022 Written by Srithaja Akella
Throughout history, there have been many influential figures part of the LGBTQ+ community that have helped shape the way the world is. However, simply because of who they are, they have been cast aside by many, no matter how big their impact was on history. Out of these people, one particular individual that helped was a part of the civil rights movement is Bayard Rustin.
Bayard Rustin lived a simple life. He was born in March of 1912 and was raised by his grandparents. His grandmother was part of an organization called the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, so he was frequently exposed to many great leaders such as W. E. B. Du Bois. He went to the City College of New York in the 1930s and later was delegated as youth organizer for the March on Washington.
He also joined many different organizations, such as Fellowship of Reconciliation, Congress of Racial Equality, and many more, along with workshops and campaigns. After this, he traveled to India to study about Gandhi’s ideology, and later went to Africa to work on independence movements with the American Friends Committee. However, he soon was forced to give up responsibility when he was arrested, for his homosexuality. This arrest was one of many that he had faced. During the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rustin was a close aide for Martin Luther King, and supported him.
He also used his previous knowledge of Gandhi’s strategies and proposed non-violence, as well as other ideas such as this. He subsequently formed many organizations with the help of King, such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom, and Youth Marches for Integrated Schools. Even though many people were apprehensive of Rustin, he was made deputy director of the March on Washington, in which he was a key aspect. He finally worked as a president for the A. Philip. Randolph Institute, committed to improve racial inequality.
In the end, Rustin was a big part of our history. Even though many doubted him and he had many obstacles to overcome, he was involved in one of the biggest civil rights movements and advocated for many important things that have helped us to this day.
Citations:
“Rustin, Bayard.” The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, 5 Apr. 2018, https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/rustin-bayard.
