Raquel Kokkoros is currently a writer for Hollywood Insider. Enchanted by the illustriousness of cinema, Raquel is proud to contribute to a team that prioritizes quality journalism and respect for the entertainment business being utilized as a tool to better the world. Raquel believes in emphasizing elements of film and television that deserve an unbiased platform. Proud to provide an optimistic stage for the diverse offerings of Hollywood, Raquel enjoys writing from a fair, understanding, and truthful perspective – a philosophy that embodies the ethos of Hollywood Insider.
Jun 26, 2020
Table of Contents
Video Version of this Article
Photo/Video: Bayard Rustin with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Monroe Frederick/Courtesy of the estate of Bayard Rustin/Hollywood Insider YouTube Channel
As a part of Hollywood Insider’s Unsung Heroes series, it is important for us to remember, appreciate, and praise the heroes and make sure they are NEVER forgotten.
Bayard Rustin (March 17, 1912 – August 24, 1987)is an unsung hero of America. He was an advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr. and the most influential organizer of the 1963 March on Washington as part of the biggest nonviolent protest in American history. It’s likely you have never heard his name; an unfortunate fact that begs a change through educating the world of his grit that changed the moral fiber of the world. Bayard Rustin must be celebrated for his triumphant annihilation of segregation in America. Aside from peacefully fighting for equality on a racial front, Bayard Rustin was an activist for the protected class for which he belonged – an openly gay, black man.
Bayard Rustin. Black Lives Matter. Black Gay Men Matter.
It was not only brave to be outspoken on a public level about his sexuality in the 1960’s, it was truly dangerous. Rustin was a zealot for human rights, referred to as the “lost prophet” of the civil rights movement by historian John D’Emilio. In a fiercely homophobic society plagued by bigotry, racism, and societal class inequality, Bayard Rustin was unapologetically himself, open about his own life while tirelessly fighting to bridge the divide between the mental barriers that tore humanity apart.
In a nation divided, Bayard Rustin stood proud to advise Martin Luther King Jr. on the great struggle for human rights. Rustin adopted the fundamental principles of Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent methods of persuasion which allowed him to spearhead the March on Washington from the background. When Bayard Rustin was introduced to Martin Luther King, Jr. in February 1956, MLK Jr. had not yet embraced nonviolence. In fact, “there were guns inside King’s house, and armed guards posted at his doors.
Bayard Rustin Championed Nonviolent Protests for Civil Rights Movement
Rustin persuaded boycott leaders to adopt complete nonviolence, teaching them Gandhian nonviolent direct protest.” The criticism over being a gay man plagued his existence and drove him to seek leadership from behind the scenes. The criticism was so intense that in August 1963, South Carolina SenatorStrom Thurmondrailed against Rustin as a “Communist, draft-dodger, and homosexual.” Thurmond also produced an FBI photograph of Rustin talking to Martin Luther King Jr. while King was bathing to imply that there was a same-sex relationship between the two.
The discrimination that Rustin advocated for plagued his personal life for his entire career, but that didn’t stop him from passionately pursuing equality for all. His perseverance in the face of direct hatred proves he didn’t let the words distract him from attempting to eliminate this type of hatred from the world. Without Bayard Rustin’s infallible insistence on making the world equal for everyone, we might still be stuck in a country with a formal segregation structure that designates a human’s worth based on the color of their skin and their income level. The fact that Bayard Rustin was a gay man isn’t essential to the ultimate picture, it’s just an important notation when considering how hard he fought to level the playing field while struggling to achieve such on a personal level as well. The odds were stacked unevenly and not in his favor yet look at what he achieved. His ability to persevere while peaceful waging the war on an internal and external level is profoundly inspirational.
Bayard Rustin fought for other causes that didn’t affect his demographic with the power of empathy
Rustin was actively involved in many socialist movements during his advisory years, including the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Congress of Racial Equality, War Resisters League, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and served as the national chairman for Social Democrats of the USA. He was also a proud humanitarian and aided refugees from Communist Vietnam and Cambodia. Rustin didn’t only advocate for the factors that affected him on a personal level, he had the empathetic awareness to fight for the rights of every human. The United States Pledge of Allegiance preaches “liberty and justice for all.” Bayard Rustin fought to defend this sentiment of equality, and it is truly a shame that his name isn’t ubiquitous with civil rights in America.
Although many of the freedoms that Bayard Rustin rallied behind were achieved, we must honor his legacy by sharing his undeniable passion for defending human rights. This is the only way to guarantee his legacy is never forgotten. America has wavered between uneven nuances of acceptance and discrimination during our country’s existence. If there is no one to push the narrative, the story will eventually fade. Don’t let Bayard Rustin’s campaign of equality and historical contributions to equality be forgotten.
A pacifist by nature, a transparent public figure, and an advocate for all. Bayard Rustin’s legacy is righteous, so let’s make sure we defend his memory as passionately as he defended our rights. His notoriety left an unremarkable impact on the history of the world. Don’t let his candle dim before the entire world has the opportunity to witness its glow. Bayard Rustin- the freedom driven anti-discrimination LGBTQ advocate our society needs today as much as it did in the 1960s.
We, at Hollywood Insider, admire, cherish and respect you Bayard Rustin. We will continue following on your footsteps of equality, empathy and nonviolent movement for justice for all across every border and demographic. We will not let the world forget about you. Thank you for being brave. Thank you for being of the greatest American leaders. Black Lives Matter. Black Gay Men Matter. Black LGBTQ Matter.
An excerpt from the love letter: Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “Hollywood Insider fully supports the much-needed Black Lives Matter movement. We are actively, physically and digitally a part of this global movement. We will continue reporting on this major issue of police brutality and legal murders of black people to hold the system accountable. We will continue reporting on this major issue with kindness and respect to all black people, as each and every one of them are seen and heard. Just a reminder, that the Black Lives Matter movement is about more than just police brutality and extends into banking, housing, education, medical, infrastructure, etc. We have the space and time for all your stories. We believe in peaceful/non-violent protests and I would like to request the rest of media to focus on 95% of the protests that are peaceful and working effectively with positive changes happening daily. Media has a responsibility to better the world and Hollywood Insider will continue to do so.”
Raquel Kokkoros is currently a writer for Hollywood Insider. Enchanted by the illustriousness of cinema, Raquel is proud to contribute to a team that prioritizes quality journalism and respect for the entertainment business being utilized as a tool to better the world. Raquel believes in emphasizing elements of film and television that deserve an unbiased platform. Proud to provide an optimistic stage for the diverse offerings of Hollywood, Raquel enjoys writing from a fair, understanding, and truthful perspective - a philosophy that embodies the ethos of Hollywood Insider.
Hollywood Insider is a media network thatfocuses on substance and meaningful entertainment/culture, so as to utilize media as a tool to unite and better our world, by combining entertainment, education and philanthropy, while being against gossip and scandal.
Raquel Kokkoros is currently a writer for Hollywood Insider. Enchanted by the illustriousness of cinema, Raquel is proud to contribute to a team that prioritizes quality journalism and respect for the entertainment business being utilized as a tool to better the world. Raquel believes in emphasizing elements of film and television that deserve an unbiased platform. Proud to provide an optimistic stage for the diverse offerings of Hollywood, Raquel enjoys writing from a fair, understanding, and truthful perspective – a philosophy that embodies the ethos of Hollywood Insider.
Limited Time Offer: Join for FREE today and get unlimited
The Hollywood Insider is against gossip and scandal, fully focused on substance & meaningful entertainment.
We choose quality over quantity, compassion over oppression, wisdom over intelligence.
Newsletter Subscription
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
