A biography of Bayard Rustin, a skillful organizer behind the scenes of the American civil rights movement whose ideas stongly influenced Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up. Haskins skillfully blends details of his subject's life and work with descriptions of the civil rights struggle. Rustin's own words complement the portrait of this man who devoted his life to advancing the cause of equal rights for blacks in the U.S. and supporting victims of oppression all over the world. Recalling his early life and the influence of his Quaker grandmother, the book goes on to discuss Rustin's close relationships with A. Philip Randolph and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as his belief in nonviolent means to affect change. The 1963 March on Washington, which he organized, was not supported by everyone with whom he worked, and he was often seen as more of a liability than as an asset to the movement because of his open homosexuality. Rustin consistently triumphed over his objectors and finally a book is available to attest to his contributions. An insert of fine-quality, black-and-white photos enhances the presentation. A well-written, well-documented biography and an enlightening look at the civil rights movement.?Carol Fazioli, Cardinal Hayes Library, Manhattan College, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. With his reputation clouded by the triple whammy of belonging to the Communist Party as a young man, being a homosexual, and being repeatedly imprisoned, Bayard Rustin is relatively unknown even though his organizational skills and commitment to nonviolent protest shaped the civil rights movement. In exploring the life and work of this African American leader, Haskins highlights and personalizes 50 years of American history in which black people fought for and attained protection for their civil rights. The author adeptly seeks out the forces that shaped Rustin's beliefs--among them, his grandmother who raised him as a Quaker--and describes the evolution of Rustin's political activism. Sensitive to hatred of all kinds, Rustin remained dedicated to nonviolence throughout his life, spending years in prison for refusing to fight in World War II and eventually teaching Gandhi's principles of nonviolence as a protest tactic to Martin Luther King Jr. The leader's crowning achievement was organizing the 1963 March on Washington. Haskins not only gives enough personal information to flesh out his subject (Rustin was a talented musician and skilled collector) but also presents each historical event with nuance, fairness, and clarity. Obviously an excellent resource for reports, this is also a moving, inspirational story. Susan Dove Lempke
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
*ARCHITECT OF AN UNFORGETTABLE MARCH TOWARD CHANGE*,
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This review is from: Bayard Rustin: Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movement (Hardcover)
Here is a fine biography for "Ages 10 and up" - - the "UP" being any age. "Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movement" is about Bayard Rustin, a behind-the-scenes guy who not only lived in exciting times, he was a pivotal figure in the U.S. civil rights movement for decades. He was known as a "genius for organization" & the MARCH ON WASHINGTON happened in large part because of his skills. The 1963 March was the largest gathering of people 'of like mind' who had ever demonstrated peacefully, AND successfully.
Bayard Rustin was a controversial young man, raised by Quaker grandparents who influenced his strong beliefs in nonviolence. Well-known author Jim Haskins describes Rustin's college days when he discovered he was a homosexual, and became interested in communism. Not much later a meeting with A. Philip Randolph (the famous organizer of black railroad porters) began a life-long influence on Rustin's thinking and direction. Bayard Rustin was a conscientious objector to war and chose to be imprisoned for those beliefs. After World War II he became involved and very influential regarding issues of protest marches and reconciliation. He died at age 75, still actively working for justice and human rights. At his funeral one of his recorded spirituals was played, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen". Bayard Rustin had a tenor voice which might have taken him successfully to a career as a musician but his compassion for people called him to a different road in life. Reviewer mcHaiku recommends this portrayal of an important worker toward change in American life; it is of particular value for young people to hear different views about 'service for the greater good' and about patriotism, and to weigh their own instincts against the pressures exerted by peers and the media.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a great find!,
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This review is from: Bayard Rustin: Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movement (Hardcover)
I stumbled across this book at a thrift sale. Having first heard of Bayard Rustin about three years ago by way of a documentary film, I quickly snatched up the book at the bargain price of twenty-five cents! What started as a casual perusal of the text at the sale turned into a focused absorption of the life of one of the least acknowledged civil and human rights activist in the country's history. I'm still amazed that throughout high school and college history classes, some of which designed to highlight the African American experience, I don't recall ever encountering acknowledgement of his work in the movement. Well this book is an excellent start to making Rustin's story accessible to a mass reading public. The book is written for readers of the middle school age but it's not dummied down in content. The large font makes for fast reading at the adult level and its easy on the eyes for seniors.
The book is organized in ten chapters and chronologically moves through Rustin's life and his involvement in various movements and organizations aimed at equality and freedom for the human race. Chapter titles are: * Growing Up Quaker * College and Communism * Conscientious Objector * Greater Militancy * The Civil Rights Movement Begins * The Southern Christian Leadership Conference * To March or Not to March * March Organizer * The March on Washington * International Organizer Although an older publication, I think this is a powerful addition to the classroom. A little leg work may be able to turn up copies at a great discount. I certainly plan on telling all of the educators that I know about the book. Highly Recommended!
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