On the day dedicated to reflect on how Dr. King inspired and uplifted our nation's conscience, it's great to see PBS airing this documentary - Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin tonight, January 20, 10 p.m. EST. - about a man who inspired, and worked closely with King. "Rustin's commitment to pacifism and his visionary advocacy of Gandhian nonviolence made him a pioneer in the 1940s, and captured King's imagination in the 1950s. In 1963, with more than 20 years of organizing experience behind him, Rustin brought his unique skills to the crowning glory of his civil rights career: his work organizing the historic March on Washington, the biggest protest America had ever witnessed.... Though he had to overcome the stereotypes associated with being an illegitimate son, an African American, a gay man and a one-time member of the Communist Party, Rustin - the ultimate outsider - eventually became a public figure and respected political insider." I won't be able to watch tonight, unfortunately - but a pal is taping it, and it's being re-run on the 24th here in NYC.
Monday, January 20, 2003
On the day dedicated to reflect on how Dr. King inspired and uplifted our nation's conscience, it's great to see PBS airing this documentary - Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin tonight, January 20, 10 p.m. EST. - about a man who inspired, and worked closely with King. "Rustin's commitment to pacifism and his visionary advocacy of Gandhian nonviolence made him a pioneer in the 1940s, and captured King's imagination in the 1950s. In 1963, with more than 20 years of organizing experience behind him, Rustin brought his unique skills to the crowning glory of his civil rights career: his work organizing the historic March on Washington, the biggest protest America had ever witnessed.... Though he had to overcome the stereotypes associated with being an illegitimate son, an African American, a gay man and a one-time member of the Communist Party, Rustin - the ultimate outsider - eventually became a public figure and respected political insider." I won't be able to watch tonight, unfortunately - but a pal is taping it, and it's being re-run on the 24th here in NYC.