10 Facts about Bayard Rustin

Saturday, May 30th 2015. | Figures


One of the important American leaders for nonviolence, civil rights, gay rights and socialism is explained in Facts about Bayard Rustin. He was born on 17 March 1912 in Pennsylvania and passed away on 24 August 1987. The civil right work was his main concern when he was alive. He became a stage singer and nightclub singer when he relocated to Harlem, New York City in 1936. Here are other interesting facts about Bayard Rustin below:

Facts about Bayard Rustin 1: a leading activist

Bayard Rustin is considered as one of the leading activist in Civil Rights Movement in 1947 till 1955. He contributed to initiate the Freedom Ride in 1947. He also focused on the issues of racial segregation and civil disobedience.

Facts about Bayard Rustin 2: Martin Luther King Jr.

Rustin also involved in the organization of Southern Christian Leadership Conference under Martin Luther King Jr.  He helped to reinforce the leadership of King. Get facts about American Civil Rights here.

Facts about Bayard Rustin

Facts about Bayard Rustin

Facts about Bayard Rustin 3: the philosophy

The main philosophy of Bayard Rustin that he liked to spread to other people in the civil right movement was the non violence practice. He encouraged the people to have the nonviolent resistance.  This philosophy influenced him a lot after he worked in Gandhi’s movement in India.

Facts about Bayard Rustin 4: a leading strategist

In 1955 till 1968, Rustin became the leading strategist in Civil Rights Movement of United States.

Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin

Facts about Bayard Rustin 5: A. Philip Randolph

A. Philip Randolph was the African American labor union president and socialist who appointed Bayard Rustin as the chief organizer for the Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.

Facts about Bayard Rustin 6: the young activist

His action and philosophy was inspirational. There is no need to wonder that the young activists like Stokely Carmichael and Tom Kahn were influenced by Rustin.

Bayard Rustin Picture

Bayard Rustin Picture

Facts about Bayard Rustin 7: changing the focus

The focus of Rustin changed to the economic problems for the unemployed and working class of the African Americans after the passage of the civil right legislation in 1964-1965. Get facts about African American History here.

Facts about Bayard Rustin 8: an honorary chairperson

In 1972, Rustin was appointed as the honorary chairperson of Socialist Part of America. Then the name was changed into Social Democrats. In 1970s, he became the national chairman.

Bayard Rustin Pic

Bayard Rustin Pic

Facts about Bayard Rustin 9: humanitarian missions

Rustin was involved in various humanitarian missions in 1970s and 1980s. He went to Cambodia and Vietnam to aid the refugees.

Facts about Bayard Rustin 10: death

In 1987, he passed away. At that time, he was on his humanitarian mission in Haiti.

Bayard Rustin Facts

Bayard Rustin Facts

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