Bayard Rustin was an early leader in the civil rights movement and a close advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. He was also a gay man at a time when homosexuality was not widely accepted. As a result, Rustin has been somewhat overshadowed by other civil rights leaders. However, his contributions to the movement are significant and worth learning about.
Here are five books about Bayard Rustin that will help you better understand his life and work:
1. “Bayard Rustin: The Invisible Activist” by Jerald Podair
2. “Rustin: A Biography” by John D’Emilio
3. “The Civil Rights Movement: A Photographic History, 1954-68” by Charles Moore
4. “Walkin’ the Dog: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin” by Michael G. Long
5. “I Must Resist: Bayard Rustin’s Life in Letters” edited by Michael G. Long
These books offer a comprehensive look at Bayard Rustin’s life and work. They provide valuable insights into the civil rights movement and the challenges faced by gay men in the mid-20th century.