In this column published in The St. Louis American, Bayard Rustin opposes William H. Rehnquist’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, citing his record on civil rights and opposition to desegregation in Arizona. Rustin warns that Rehnquist’s confirmation could undermine racial progress and civil liberties, while criticizing President Richard Nixon’s judicial appointments as part of a broader political strategy.
"Attica—A Double Tragedy" Newspaper Column: Reimagining the American Penal System
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.
Nothing New for Blacks: Critiquing Nixon’s New Economic Policy
In this column published in The St. Louis American, Bayard Rustin critiques President Richard Nixon’s economic policies for failing to expand employment and economic opportunity for Black Americans and other low-income workers. He argues that tax incentives for corporations cannot substitute for job creation, training, and public investment aimed at addressing unemployment and poverty.
"The Housing Disaster" Newspaper Column: Exposing Northern Residential Segregation
In this column published in The St. Louis American, Bayard Rustin identifies residential segregation and the housing shortage as central causes of racial and economic inequality. He critiques federal housing policies for allowing discriminatory practices to persist and calls for a large-scale national housing program that would expand affordable housing, create jobs, and address segregation in both cities and suburbs.
Bayard Rustin Speaks: The Futility of Terrorism
This 1971 column finds Bayard Rustin condemning acts of violence against police, arguing that such actions ultimately harm the very communities they claim to defend. He warns that embracing violence undermines the moral foundation of the movement and invites further instability and repression. Rustin calls for a steadfast commitment to nonviolence, insisting that true liberation must remain grounded in humane and principled action.
The Battle for Nomenclature: Richard B. Moore’s Rebuttal of "Negro"
This open letter from Richard B. Moore challenges Bayard Rustin’s defense of the term “Negro,” arguing that language is central to dignity and self-determination. Moore critiques Rustin’s dismissal of evolving identity terms, framing the debate as a deeper ideological divide over culture, psychology, and liberation. The exchange captures a pivotal moment of internal tension within the movement over the meaning of identity and the direction of the struggle.
What's In A Name? Rustin on the Politics of Nomenclature
This 1971 column finds Bayard Rustin weighing in on the debate over “Negro,” “Black,” and “Afro-American,” offering a pointed critique of what he saw as an overemphasis on symbolic change. He argues that shifting terminology cannot substitute for the material struggle against poverty and inequality, and warns that such debates risk distracting from the movement’s economic goals. Rustin ultimately defends the term “Negro” as part of a broader strategy focused on coalition-building, full employment, and structural change.
Down The Line: Rustin’s Intellectual Blueprint for Social Change
This promotional document for Down The Line highlights Bayard Rustin’s collected writings on nonviolence, democracy, economic justice, and coalition-building. Spanning nearly three decades, the volume traces Rustin’s vision for moving the civil rights movement from protest to sustained political power. The collection presents his enduring belief that lasting social change requires interracial cooperation, structural reform, and a deep commitment to democratic ideals.
