Brother Outsider chronicles the life and times of Bayard Rustin, one of the great intellectuals, non-violent civil rights activist, quaker, and a prominent gay, African American persona.
I just saw this documentary at the University of Florida campus (where I study), sponsored by the Student Government, Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, LGBT Affairs at UF and the Reitz Union Board (which screens movies). Curious, the screening was not sponsored by either the Black Students Union or the Pride Students Union (formerly the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Students Union). There were about 15 people - one African American, and 7-8 gay/lesbian people, and the rest were straight white people. What a pity! Back to the documentary. I knew next to nothing about Bayard Rustin before watching this documentary - I did not learn about the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. during my schooldays in India. I only knew him in connection with the Washington March in 1963 - he was the director of the march and organized it with no cell phones, computers, or even fax machines! He was born at a time when no one talked about being gay. He was never apologetic about his sexual orientation and never tried to hide it, which in itself, is something amazing considering the times. In late 1930s he had a white partner and they were open about it! He was a strong follower of non-violence and was with the Pacifist movement, was a conscientious objector during World War II, fought against the internment of Japanese-Americans, and took all his experiences to the Civil Rights Movement, Anti-Nuclear Movement, Campaigns for Refugee Rights in Southeast Asia and Africa. A wise man with tireless enthusiasm and energy, with a wonderful sense of humor, keen eye for detail and organization, tremendous determination, deep convictions of his principles, and an open mind to learning and self-growth, Bayard Rustin comes out as a colorful and towering personality in the course of the feature documentary.
Yet, for all these wonderful things I learned about him, I walked out with a feeling that I wanted to get to know him more. His sexuality, which has been a big part of his life, shadowed him and all his work. Often times, he was involved with movements but had to leave them rather abruptly because the powers-that-be started attacking the movements by slandering him, and the "open-minded" leaders of the movements were not able to accept it. It is, in fact, amazing that he contributed so significantly to a number of causes, given the homophobia of the times. It is a testimony to not only his skills but also his perseverance and sincerity. It is very interesting to watch A. Philip Randolph and Martin Luther King Jr. (both Deputy Directors of the Washington March) being interviewed about the supposedly communist and pervert leanings of Rustin, the director of the march. They are so distinctly uncomfortable talking about it and King defends him by merely saying that Rustin completely stands by the democratic ideals of the nation. A. J. Muste, the pioneer of the Pacificists, who was once a mentor of Rustin, is said to have repeatedly urged Rustin to renounce homosexuality. However, having shown all these in the documentary, the filmmakers merely interview two of Rustin's partners - one at the very beginning and one at the very end - for a total of no more than a few minutes. They do not at all explore one of the core issues - the role of his sexuality in his life choices, how it shaped his interests, opinions, and activism.
On the whole, though, a powerful documentary about a powerful person. A must watch for everyone!
I just saw this documentary at the University of Florida campus (where I study), sponsored by the Student Government, Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, LGBT Affairs at UF and the Reitz Union Board (which screens movies). Curious, the screening was not sponsored by either the Black Students Union or the Pride Students Union (formerly the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Students Union). There were about 15 people - one African American, and 7-8 gay/lesbian people, and the rest were straight white people. What a pity! Back to the documentary. I knew next to nothing about Bayard Rustin before watching this documentary - I did not learn about the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. during my schooldays in India. I only knew him in connection with the Washington March in 1963 - he was the director of the march and organized it with no cell phones, computers, or even fax machines! He was born at a time when no one talked about being gay. He was never apologetic about his sexual orientation and never tried to hide it, which in itself, is something amazing considering the times. In late 1930s he had a white partner and they were open about it! He was a strong follower of non-violence and was with the Pacifist movement, was a conscientious objector during World War II, fought against the internment of Japanese-Americans, and took all his experiences to the Civil Rights Movement, Anti-Nuclear Movement, Campaigns for Refugee Rights in Southeast Asia and Africa. A wise man with tireless enthusiasm and energy, with a wonderful sense of humor, keen eye for detail and organization, tremendous determination, deep convictions of his principles, and an open mind to learning and self-growth, Bayard Rustin comes out as a colorful and towering personality in the course of the feature documentary.
Yet, for all these wonderful things I learned about him, I walked out with a feeling that I wanted to get to know him more. His sexuality, which has been a big part of his life, shadowed him and all his work. Often times, he was involved with movements but had to leave them rather abruptly because the powers-that-be started attacking the movements by slandering him, and the "open-minded" leaders of the movements were not able to accept it. It is, in fact, amazing that he contributed so significantly to a number of causes, given the homophobia of the times. It is a testimony to not only his skills but also his perseverance and sincerity. It is very interesting to watch A. Philip Randolph and Martin Luther King Jr. (both Deputy Directors of the Washington March) being interviewed about the supposedly communist and pervert leanings of Rustin, the director of the march. They are so distinctly uncomfortable talking about it and King defends him by merely saying that Rustin completely stands by the democratic ideals of the nation. A. J. Muste, the pioneer of the Pacificists, who was once a mentor of Rustin, is said to have repeatedly urged Rustin to renounce homosexuality. However, having shown all these in the documentary, the filmmakers merely interview two of Rustin's partners - one at the very beginning and one at the very end - for a total of no more than a few minutes. They do not at all explore one of the core issues - the role of his sexuality in his life choices, how it shaped his interests, opinions, and activism.
On the whole, though, a powerful documentary about a powerful person. A must watch for everyone!