In this BRCSJ Power Hour segment, Dr. Keisha N. Blain discusses the often tense but productive relationship between Bayard Rustin and Fannie Lou Hamer, highlighting their shared goals but sharply different tactics—Rustin’s cautious “long game” strategy versus Hamer’s direct, uncompromising agitation.
Aaron Henry on Rustin and the MFDP
In this oral history, Aaron Henry reflects on the struggle for political power in Mississippi, including the formation of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and the 1964 Democratic Convention. He highlights Bayard Rustin’s controversial role as a strategist, emphasizing his belief that lasting change required compromise, coalition-building, and staying engaged in national politics.
