These images spotlight the Three Kings nativity figures that Bayard Rustin and Walter Naegle discovered in France in the early 1980s and lovingly unpacked each Christmas.
Stuart Elliott Correspondence on the Zimbabwe Democratic Transition
This 1980 letter captures a critical exchange surrounding Bayard Rustin’s views on Zimbabwe’s elections and the broader debate over African independence movements. Writer Stuart Elliott challenges Rustin’s interpretation of the election results, arguing that it underestimated popular support for political change and overlooked pressures facing Black voters. The correspondence reveals tensions within civil rights and left-leaning circles over international politics, democracy, and decolonization.
Racism On Television: The Case of "Skag"
This 1980 column finds Bayard Rustin critiquing the television drama Skag for presenting a distorted picture of working-class America that largely erased Black steelworkers from view. He argues that racism had shifted from overt caricature to more subtle forms of exclusion and misrepresentation. Rustin also condemns the show’s condescending portrayal of laborers, calling on the media industry to more honestly and respectfully depict working-class life.
Yeshiva University Honorary Degree Rejection Correspondence
This confidential 1980 correspondence highlights Bayard Rustin’s decision to decline an honorary degree from Yeshiva University on principle. Citing the university’s legal challenge to faculty union rights, Rustin argues that accepting the honor would conflict with his lifelong commitment to organized labor. The exchange reflects his willingness to place deeply held values above personal recognition.
Senate Committee Correspondence on the Occupational Safety and Health Act Amendments
This 1980 letter documents an exchange between Senator Harrison A. Williams Jr. and Bayard Rustin regarding proposed changes to workplace safety laws. Responding to concerns from Rustin and the A. Philip Randolph Institute, Williams explains his efforts to strengthen OSHA while protecting it from political attacks. The correspondence highlights shared concerns about safeguarding workers’ rights, particularly for those without union representation.
Politics and the Olympics: Solidarity Beyond the Podium
This 1980 column finds Bayard Rustin defending the proposed boycott of the Moscow Olympics following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. While recognizing the sacrifice demanded of athletes, Rustin argues that the boycott was a necessary stand for human rights and international solidarity. Drawing parallels to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, he contends that moral courage and principled action carry a far greater legacy than athletic achievement alone.
