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Home , Bayard Rustin, Direct action

Discussion Rediscovering , Guide to Accompany BrotherOutsider a forgotten freedom fighter bayard rustin—a visionary yet largely unknown civil rights strategist, ≤It is hard for me to think of a man who was more talented than organizer and activist—is the subject of Bayard Rustin. Why did he remain in the background . . . never a compelling new documentary pre- coming forward in the full measure of his great talent?≥ miering on on Martin Luther Jr. Day (Monday, January 20). This Congresswoman , quoted in Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin guide is intended to introduce Rustin and encourage viewing and discussion While Viewing tween Rustin and . of Brother Outsider, a 90-minute film As students watch the film, ask them to How do these debates continue today? produced and directed by filmmakers note each time that Rustin challenged π The on Washington What Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer. injustice, and to identify moments was its goal? How and why did the

Born in West Chester, A.P. when Rustin himself March movement begin in the 1940s? Pennsylvania, in 1912, was the target of injus- How did Senator at- Rustin began his 60-year tice. What were the re- tempt to derail the March in 1963? How career as an activist while sults of each incident? did black leaders respond? What did in high school, when he What do these moments the March accomplish? What do you protested segregation at a reveal about Rustin’s think it would have felt like to be at restaurant in his home- character? the March on August 28, 1963? town. Rustin organized π Dissent and Surveillance Why the first “Freedom After Viewing was Rustin under fbi surveillance? Rides” during the late Brother Outsider can What does it mean to question some- 1940s and met Martin spark discussion and one’s loyalty as an American? Does that Luther King Jr. in 1956, critical thinking on a happen today? How? after traveling to Mont- broad range of topics. π“Invisible Man” Why do you think gomery, Alabama, to as- Questions to tackle with Rustin has been hidden from history? sist with the of the city’s segre- students include: How did homophobia affect his career? gated bus system. Upon his arrival, π and What does Do you agree with his statement that Rustin discovered guns inside King’s Rustin mean when he calls for a group gay rights are now our barometer for house and quickly persuaded boycott of “angelic troublemakers” to confront judging where people stand on human leaders to adopt complete . society? Was Rustin himself a trouble- rights issues generally? Known as the “American Gandhi,” maker? How? Define “Jim Crow.” What π“One Human Family” What is your Rustin is credited with helping to mold dangers did Rustin face in challenging reaction to Rustin’s point that all people the younger King into an international Jim Crow in 1947? are connected? symbol of nonviolence, and with organ- πThe Power of Nonviolence What is π Past to Present How is Rustin’s izing the 1963 March on Washington nonviolent ? Why is it ef- story a call to action for today? Which for Jobs and Freedom—the largest fective? Can it still work in today’s aspects of his story do you find most protest America had ever seen. Despite world? Explain these statements from inspiring? What message do you take these achievements, Rustin was silenced, the documentary: Rustin says, “There is away from the film? threatened and fired from leadership no need to beat me. I am not resisting positions—sometimes because of his un- you.” Rustin’s colleague Bill Sutherland Coming to PBS on compromising political beliefs, but more states, “Racial injustice is violence.” (For often because he was an openly gay man more on nonviolence, see next page.) Martin Luther King Jr. Day in a fiercely homophobic era. π Rustin and King What does the Brother Outsider: film tell you about Rustin’s relationship The Life of Bayard Rustin with Martin Luther King Jr.? How does Getting Started National PBS Premiere on the “P.O.V.” 1. Ask students: Have you ever heard of the film illuminate Dr. King’s develop- series Monday, January 20, 2003 at Bayard Rustin? What do you know ment as a leader? Does it change what 10 P.M. (check local listings) about him? Why do you think some you think about Dr. King? Why? figures are hidden from history? π Competing Ideologies Respond www.pbs.org/pov/brotheroutsider 2. Why do you think the new film on to the two debates in the film, between Educators have permission to tape the Rustin is called Brother Outsider? Bayard Rustin and , and be- PBS broadcast for classroom use. Nonviolence vs. Jim Crow by Bayard Rustin

As Brother Outsider reveals, Rustin be- an unjust law. If I were to sit in back I love in the world is the greatest power lieved deeply in the power of nonvio- would be condoning injustice.” existing. If you have a greater power, lence to bring about social change. In Angry, but not knowing what to do, my friend, you may move me.” the following 1942 essay, Rustin tells he got out and went into the station. How much they understood of what how he used nonviolence to challenge He soon came out again, got into his I was trying to tell them I do not know. segregation on a southern bus. By quot- seat, and started off. By this time they were impatient and ing a segregationist, Rustin reminds Finally the driver, in desperation, angry. As I would not move, they began readers that civil rights activists faced must have phoned ahead, for about to beat me about the head and shoul- not only physical abuse, but also verbal thirteen miles north Nashville I heard ders, and I shortly found myself abuse in the form of offensive language. sirens approaching. The bus came to knocked to the floor. Then they dragged an abrupt stop, and a police car and me out of the bus and continued to Recently I was planning to go from two motorcycles drew up beside us kick and beat me. Louisville to Nashville by bus. I bought with a flourish. Four policemen got into Knowing that if I tried to get up or my ticket, boarded the bus, and, in- the bus and came to my seat. protect myself in the first heat of their stead of going to the back, sat down in “Get up, you ______nigger!” anger they would construe it as an at- the second seat. The driver saw me, “Why?” I asked. “I believe that I tempt to and beat me down again, got up, and came toward me. have a right to sit here,” I said quietly. I forced myself to be still and wait for “Hey, you. You’re supposed to sit in “If I sit in the back of the bus I am de- their kicks, one after another. Then I the back seat.” priving that child”—I pointed to a little stood up, spreading out my arms paral- “Why?” white child of five or six—“of the knowl- lel to the ground, and said, “There is no “Because that’s the law. Niggers ride edge that there is injustice here, which need to beat me. I am not resisting you.” in back.” I believe it is his right to know. It is my I said, “My friend, I believe that is sincere conviction that the power of For Discussion or Writing 1. Where did the bus driver expect Bayard Rustin to sit? What motivat- For Further Exploration ed Rustin to defy the law? 2. How did Rustin respond to the Books UPI/CORBIS-BETTMANN driver and to the police? Anderson, Jervis. Bayard Rustin: Troubles I’ve 3. What does this story reveal about Seen (: HarperCollinsPublishers, 1997). Rustin’s character? What does it Branch, Taylor. Parting the Waters: America in the show about the philosophy of non- King Years, 1954–63 (New York: Touchstone, 1989). violence? Haskins, James. Bayard Rustin: Behind the Scenes 4. Can you imagine responding to a of the (New York: Hyperi- on, 1997). beating as Rustin did, without fight- ing back? What do you think this Rustin, Bayard. Down the Line: The Collected Writings of Bayard Rustin (Chicago: Quadrangle would feel like? How might it affect Books, 1971). your opponent?

Rustin was architect of the civil rights movement’s largest protest: the 1963 March on Washington.

On the Web

COURTESY ESTATE OF BAYARD RUSTIN www.pbs.org/pov/brotheroutsider Extensive background on Rustin’s life, including audio of his 1962 debate with Malcolm X, samples COURTESY FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION of his singing, and a section on origins of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. www.stanford.edu/group/King The Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project’s website, Rustin “put his body on the line” in myriad . featuring in-depth content by and about King. Rustin speaking on nonviolence in 1943.