Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin was a unique twentieth-century American radical voice. A homosexual, World War II draft resister, and ex-communist, Rustin made enormous contributions to the civil rights, socialist, labor, peace, and gay rights movements in the United States, despite being viewed as an 'outsider' by fellow activists. Author Jerold Podair also includes excerpts from Rustin's writings, speeches, letters, and statements, allowing the reader to gain firsthand interaction with one of the most important civil rights leaders—and one of the most important radical leaders—in twentieth-century American history.