This column examines Bayard Rustin's response to the Attica prison uprising, arguing that the tragedy exposed the urgent need for fundamental prison reform. Rejecting both punitive retaliation and political posturing, Rustin calls for a more humane justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation, separates nonviolent from violent offenders, and addresses the systemic conditions that contribute to crime and incarceration.
"Let's Talk Sense About Crime" Newspaper Column: Dismantling the Myths of Law and Order
This column finds Bayard Rustin urging progressives to confront crime as both a public safety and social justice issue. Rejecting punitive “law and order” rhetoric, he argues that effective crime reduction requires investments in fair policing, criminal justice reform, and economic opportunity. Rustin ultimately contends that full employment and addressing the root causes of poverty are essential to creating safer communities.
