Rustin at the A. Philip Randolph Institute, 1972

Bayard Rustin is pictured at the A. Philip Randolph Institute in 1972, sitting beside African sculptures and artwork that reflect his international perspective and appreciation for cultural heritage. The environment demonstrates Rustin’s deep engagement with both labor organizing and the broader social movements of the era, as well as personal interests in global art and history.

The Professionalization of the Movement: Lessons from 1972

Written during the 1972 election cycle, Bayard Rustin argues that the post–Voting Rights Act era demands a second phase of the Civil Rights Movement focused on disciplined electoral politics, coalition-building, and the unglamorous work of organizing rather than symbolic protest.