Written just after the first national MLK Day, this letter finds Bayard Rustin cautioning against the canonization of Dr. King, arguing that portraying him as a flawless, superhuman figure makes his work seem unreachable and obscures the collective nature of the movement. Rustin urges a more honest history that recognizes King as part of a disciplined team—and honors the many unsung strategists whose collaboration made social change possible.
Morris Abram on Rustin’s Later Advocacy
In this interview, Morris Abram reflects on the evolving “nature of politics,” using Bayard Rustin as a model of strategic, coalition-based activism. He highlights Rustin’s commitment to universalism and the “long game” of democracy, emphasizing that lasting social change depends on broad alliances and sustained political engagement.
