This 1975 column finds Bayard Rustin examining the controversy surrounding new research on school integration and busing policies. While defending the work of social scientist James Coleman from political attacks, Rustin argues that the challenges of desegregation could not be solved through schools alone. He emphasizes that lasting integration required broader reforms in housing, employment, and public policy.
"The Rationalization of Neglect" Newspaper Column
This 1970 column finds Bayard Rustin critiquing the Nixon administration’s civil rights policies, arguing that the concept of “benign neglect” masked a retreat from meaningful commitments to racial equality. Focusing especially on education, Rustin contends that cuts to social programs and resistance to school integration undermined opportunities for Black communities. He ultimately defends desegregation and stronger federal investment as essential tools for achieving educational and economic progress.
