*Please note: The exact date of this photograph is unknown.
Photograph of Bayard Rustin seated pensively, cigarette in hand, likely backstage at a University of Delaware forum.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Rustin frequently spoke at universities to explain nonviolent civil rights strategies and the shift toward coalition politics. At Delaware, he may have been invited by faculty and student groups seeking firsthand guidance on organizing integrated protests and voter registration drives in their region. This candid moment captures Rustin’s contemplative leadership style as he prepared to address questions about applying Gandhian principles on campus.
Buckley, Thomas. “Rustin in Reflection: Preparing for Campus Dialogue.” Photograph. University of Delaware, undated. JSTOR Community Collections. https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.34389669.
