The Overlooked Legacy of an LGBTQ+ Activist: A Groundbreaking Film Could Alter Perceptions

Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 190 pounds, Bayard Rustin exuded the athleticism in his every movement. With a taste for fashionable attire, he often wore linen shirts and stylish ties, and his distinguished Clark Gable mustache added to his sophisticated charm. Additionally, Rustin adopted a British accent, which further enhanced his dignified disposition.

Rustin's unique appearance and manner of speech set him apart from other civil rights leaders. He served as the spiritual mentor for the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., inspiring him with the principles of nonviolent protest. Moreover, Rustin played a pivotal role as the primary organizer of the historic 1963 March on Washington. Despite living in a time when homosexuality was condemned as a deviant act punishable by imprisonment, Rustin fearlessly embraced his identity as an openly gay Black man. He never felt the need to apologize for being true to himself and his beliefs.

According to Arch Puddington, who collaborated with Rustin in the 1970s at a labor organization aiming to increase participation of Black workers in unions, Rustin portrayed an impressive presence on a stage. Puddington mentioned that Rustin had a remarkable ability to captivate Black audiences during his speeches, often delivered without using any prepared text. Even though Puddington would write speeches for him, Rustin rarely paid attention to the written content.

The man who orchestrated the largest peacetime protest in American history at the time eventually earned the title of the "unsung hero" of the movement before fading into obscurity until his death in 1987.

However, Rustin is now making a comeback. "Rustin," a biographical film that showcases how Rustin overcame numerous personal and political challenges to successfully organize the March on Washington, is premiering on Netflix today.

The film, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company, is part of a growing interest in Bayard Rustin. Alongside a new musical and book about Rustin, the film serves as a compelling introduction to Rustin and the process of social change. Directed by George C. Wolfe, the film is infused with dynamic energy. Colman Domingo's portrayal of Rustin brilliantly captures his charisma and astute intellect. Additionally, the movie delves into the conflicts between civil rights leaders, highlighting the power struggles and egos that accompanied their efforts to organize the march.

The film's urgency stems from its tight focus, highlighting Rustin's frantic campaign to mobilize the march. It showcases how he and 200 volunteers successfully rallied 250,000 demonstrators to Washington within a mere two months of planning. This remarkable achievement took place in an era dominated by clattering typewriters, landline telephones, and mimeograph machines—long before the advent of the internet or social media.

Martin Luther King Jr., addressing the hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington on August 28, 1963.

The Denver Post/Getty Images

Rustin described it as the most significant moment of his life in the oral history "Voices of Freedom," documenting the civil rights movement. Moreover, this moment holds immense importance in American history. However, the film goes beyond being a mere historical account and instead imparts valuable insights into leadership and societal transformation through no less than three crucial lessons.

Lesson 1: Character counts more than charisma

Character, its been said, is who you are when no one is watching. Rustins film, and his life, illustrates that lesson in several ways.

The civil rights movement boasted numerous inspiring orators, however, several of its most influential figures distinguished themselves not through their on-camera speeches, but rather through their behind-the-scenes choices.

Malcolm X, for instance, possessed an unparalleled ability to energize and captivate audiences. Nevertheless, his pivotal decision to sever ties with Elijah Muhammad, the founder of the Nation of Islam, solidified his legacy. Despite being fully aware that this choice put his life in jeopardy, Malcolm X courageously embraced the risks involved due to his unwavering integrity.

The decision by the King to be against the Vietnam War was met with widespread disapproval. He faced a loss of support from the American president, opposition from Black leaders, and a decrease in donations to the civil rights organization he helped establish. However, he made this choice because, similar to Malcolm, he strongly believed in maintaining his integrity.

Numerous crucial moments in "Rustin," as well as in the life of an activist, ultimately boil down to this same moral calculation.

In a impactful scene from the film, A. Philip Randolph (superbly portrayed by actor Glynn Turman) defends Rustin during a tense and confidential meeting, while other civil rights leaders attempted to exclude him from the march due to his sexual orientation.

Rustin garnered the admiration of individuals such as Randolph and King, partly due to his actions when he was not in the spotlight.

He chose to go to prison instead of compromising his beliefs during World War II, reflecting his pacifist principles. Despite enduring several brutal attacks for his activism while serving time on a chain gang, he remained steadfast in his commitment to nonviolence and refused to respond with retaliation.

Additionally, he dedicated time to studying Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence in India, subsequently sharing these teachings with Martin Luther King Jr., leading some to bestow upon him the title of the "American Gandhi."

Bayard Rustin as seen in an mugshot on August 3, 1945, at Pennsylvania's Lewisburg Penitentiary following his conviction for failing to register for the draft.

Rustin played a significant role in numerous key civil rights movements during the mid-20th century, a time when these causes were not widely supported or effectively reported by the media.

Puddington acknowledged in one of his essays that Rustin set a remarkably high standard of integrity and resilience, which remains essential in our time.

Rustin's unwavering authenticity and refusal to lead a dual existence was also evident in his approach towards his sexual orientation, without any need for apologies.

In a particular scene of the movie, he asserts to King that he will not conceal his true identity from fellow advocates of civil rights.

Lesson 2: Every movement needs a glue person

General Omar Bradley, an American commander during World War II, is known to have said: "Amateurs talk strategy and professionals talk logistics."

The quote by Bradley, although possibly not authentic, highlights a fundamental truth in warfare. Success on the battlefield is frequently determined not by intricate tactics, but by the effective management of logistics - ensuring that soldiers are adequately equipped and supplied.

This same principle can be extended to sports, such as the NBA. In championship teams, there are often underrated players referred to as "glue guys." These individuals perform the less glamorous tasks, such as setting screens, committing impactful fouls, securing rebounds, and playing aggressive defense.

Rustin was the "glue guy" leader for the civil rights movement. Every movement needs one.

Colman Domingo, center, as Bayard Rustin in "Rustin," which premiered Nov. 17 on Netflix after a brief run in theaters.

Parrish Lewis/Netflix

Rustin was an exceptional organizer due to his meticulous attention to detail. He was well aware of the specific number of sandwiches and portable bathrooms required for the participants of the March on Washington. Moreover, he possessed the skills to effectively raise funds, arrange charter buses for transportation to Washington, and negotiate with sound engineers to ensure the amplification of King's voice throughout the Mall during his impactful "I Have a Dream" speech. Interestingly, observing Rustin's organizational efforts in the film was more thrilling than the depiction of the actual march itself.

In a pivotal movie scene, Ella Baker- a significant figure in the civil rights movement often overlooked due to her gender- enlightens Rustin about the essential components of any successful movement: a visible forefront leader and a proficient logistics expert working behind the scenes. Recognizing this dynamic in Rustin's partnership with King, she asserts, "Individually, you and Martin are commendable. However, your collaboration ignites an unstoppable force."

Lesson 3: Action without hope is impossible

Solnit asserts that cynicism and pessimism are major hindrances to social progress. Those who oppose movements frequently attempt to dissuade activists by downplaying their chances of success.

However, Rustin possessed the remarkable talent to instill hope in marginalized individuals, convincing them that victory was attainable. A particularly striking segment in the movie features Rustin molding a diverse group of civil rights activists - including young individuals of different ethnic backgrounds - into an efficient and capable team that would orchestrate the historic March on Washington.

Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin exhorts young civil rights volunteers in a scene from "Rustin."

David Lee, a Netflix enthusiast, vividly captures how Rustin's exuberance embodied the zeitgeist of his era. In an alternate America teeming with an unwavering can-do attitude, the nation's triumph over fascism in World War II, the remarkable reconstruction of Europe, the audacious commitment to lunar exploration, and President Johnson's ambitious Great Society program aimed at eradicating poverty all collectively fostered an atmosphere of unparalleled optimism. This infectious sense of hope permeates the very essence of the movie.

Although some may view that patriotism as naive now, it provided the civil rights movement with an immense amount of energy. The film captures moments of Rustin rallying his young volunteers, reminiscent of former President Obama's first campaign, where young individuals in America united for the idea of "hope and change."

In a particular scene, a young organizer suggests a bold idea, and despite others disapprovingly voicing their objections, Rustin commends the volunteer.

According to Puddington, who is also a senior scholar emeritus at Freedom House, an organization dedicated to safeguarding human rights and advocating for democratic transformation globally, optimism was a fundamental guiding principle for Rustin.

Bayard's belief that if one's cause is just and they have the necessary tools of democracy, their time will come, sets him apart as a truly exceptional individual," Puddington emphasizes in an essay addressing Rustin.

Rustin refused to be defined by his race or sexual orientation

Renewed appreciation of Rustin poses one risk: overlooking his complexity. Often, he is predominantly defined by his sexual orientation, a tactic frequently employed by his adversaries.

But Rustin said his faith as a Quaker was central to his identity.

In this photograph taken in April 1969, Rustin can be seen in his Park Avenue office in New York City. As a Quaker and a pacifist, Rustin played a crucial role as the chief strategist for Martin Luther King's march. However, due to concerns from certain organizers, he was often kept in the background, as they perceived him as a liability.

A. Camerano/AP

Rustin said those Quaker values were built "on the concept of a single human family," and that racial injustice was a challenge to that belief.