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bmore_reads's review against another edition
4.0
If you are interested in history, this is a must read book. Bayard Rustin's life and career shaped many social movements and advocacy efforts. I enjoyed this book.
buffywasbetter's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a few months, but I finished this incredible book! It is not a book for everybody- it is dense, historical and often academic. I found it to be challenging and deepened my understanding of the United States. Rustin was intersectional before there was a term for it- black, pro-labor, nonviolent and gay. By learning about his life and activities, I am humbled and inspired.
Three of my favorite learnings:
1. In a letter from jail, Rustin wrote to someone who asked him if nonviolence would work in a situation like Hitler's leadership in Germany. His response "It is not maintained that these means can be used by Americans to stop immediately an aggressive Hitler, but it must be felt that the vicious circle must be broken now and witness given to another way of life." (page 59+) Throughout his life, Rustin was asked if his work made a difference and occasionally he answered with a "long view" approach.
2. When Strom Thurmond went public in accusing Rustin of being black, homosexual and a socialist a number of Rustin's friends write an incredible letter to the editor. While never directly denying Thurmond's statement about his homosexuality, Rustin's friends spoke highly of his impeccable moral character. I found it to be a great example of how to respond to criticism. (page 262+)
3. When people started suggesting a march commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Rustin wrote a compelling explanation to Corretta Scott King and other as to why this was not a good idea. (He had been the organizer of the 1963 march.) His reasons were a clear example of how sometimes a very good and noble idea should be rejected. (They lacked money, capacity, people, a unified message and couldn't assure a peaceful protest, among other things.) Instead he proposed an alternative banquet/organizational forum which was carried out instead of a march. (page 435+)
Three of my favorite learnings:
1. In a letter from jail, Rustin wrote to someone who asked him if nonviolence would work in a situation like Hitler's leadership in Germany. His response "It is not maintained that these means can be used by Americans to stop immediately an aggressive Hitler, but it must be felt that the vicious circle must be broken now and witness given to another way of life." (page 59+) Throughout his life, Rustin was asked if his work made a difference and occasionally he answered with a "long view" approach.
2. When Strom Thurmond went public in accusing Rustin of being black, homosexual and a socialist a number of Rustin's friends write an incredible letter to the editor. While never directly denying Thurmond's statement about his homosexuality, Rustin's friends spoke highly of his impeccable moral character. I found it to be a great example of how to respond to criticism. (page 262+)
3. When people started suggesting a march commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Rustin wrote a compelling explanation to Corretta Scott King and other as to why this was not a good idea. (He had been the organizer of the 1963 march.) His reasons were a clear example of how sometimes a very good and noble idea should be rejected. (They lacked money, capacity, people, a unified message and couldn't assure a peaceful protest, among other things.) Instead he proposed an alternative banquet/organizational forum which was carried out instead of a march. (page 435+)
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