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bayard rustin american dreamer
bayard rustin was a unique twentieth century american radical voice . a homosexual world war ii draft resister and ex communist he made enormous contributions to the civil rights socialist labor peace and gay rights movements in the united states despite being viewed as an outsider even by fellow activists . rustin was a humanist who championed the disadvantaged and oppressed regardless of identity . in bayard rustin american dreamer jerald podair examines the life and career of a man who shaped virtually every aspect of the modern civil rights movement as a theorist strategist and spokesman . podair begins by covering the period from rustins 1912 birth in west chester pennsylvania to his 1946 release from federal prison where he served over two years for draft evasion . after his release rustin threw himself into work on behalf of pacifism and racial integration two goals that at this stage of his career fit together almost seamlessly . podair goes on to examine rustins role as the main organizer of the 1963 march on washington the most important civil rights demonstration in american history . he was a major influence on martin luther king jr. s philosophy of nonviolent direct action which led to the strategy that changed the course of american race relations . during the last years of his life rustin continued to champion the causes of socialism coalition politics and racial integration as he also sought to aid oppressed people and foster democratic institutions worldwide . yet for all this rustin was rarely permitted a leading role in the movements he helped to shape . because of his sexuality and his background as a former communist and draft resister he was forced to do much of his work on the fringes offering his organizational strategic and rhetorical skills to public leaders who chose to keep him at arms length . despite this as podair makes clear bayard rustin was one of the most important civil rights leaders and one of the most important radical leaders in twentieth century american history . documents in this book include excerpts from rustins writings speeches and public statements .