Bayard Rustin has been running through my mind as of late. Mr. Rustin,who was openly gay at a time when it wasn't acceptable in the American public eye, should be celebrated for his body of work for the cause of Civil Rights in this country not his sexuality. Bayard introduced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Gandhian nonviolence made him a pioneer in the movement. Bayard travelled to India to attend a conference on Gandhi's nonviolent techniques in 1948 brought about a come in his life. Bayard committed to this cause and proceeded to clean up his community and share his vision. Rustin's visionary advocacy and commitment to pacifism captured King's attention in the 1950's. I find that many homosexuals are vilified for their sexuality, which continues to overshadow their jobs and their healthy contributions to society. It's time you people got with the program, it's time you people recognize your own judgemental attitudes and continue to check yourself before casting judgement and it's time you people own up to our strengths in what we as Gays bring to the table.
Rustin's life has been put on celluloid, "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin", which weaves the story of Mr. Rustin's complex life during a time of revolutionary change in America. The film description is as follows, "Long before Martin Luther King, Jr. became a national figure, Bayard Rustin routinely put his body-and his life-on the line as a crusader for racial justice". Although, Mr. Rustin's private life was much more complex then you would imagine, he never compromise his spirit and determination for civil rights.
Mr. Rustin influenced my life in many ways and shall continue to do so. We should celebrate Bayard Rustin's life everyday for what he started and we should finish in our lifetime.
Rustin's life has been put on celluloid, "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin", which weaves the story of Mr. Rustin's complex life during a time of revolutionary change in America. The film description is as follows, "Long before Martin Luther King, Jr. became a national figure, Bayard Rustin routinely put his body-and his life-on the line as a crusader for racial justice". Although, Mr. Rustin's private life was much more complex then you would imagine, he never compromise his spirit and determination for civil rights.
Mr. Rustin influenced my life in many ways and shall continue to do so. We should celebrate Bayard Rustin's life everyday for what he started and we should finish in our lifetime.
No comments:
Post a Comment