This week we are learning about Bayard Rustin through the film "Brother Outsider".
Please read this article before you answer the questions below.
Please consider these questions and answer them in Google Docs:
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Then post your answers to our class blog as a comment.
Finally, comment on your classmates comments.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteYes, I do concur that Rustin fits a title “invisible man”, and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. I think he has been concealed from history because of his personality. He’s gay, and as the community thought, being gay was not a good thing in the past. No one would not want to be with him. However, he also was fighting hard against the discrimination that was happening.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
I comprehend how hard people fought for the civil rights. It took them so long and tremendous amount of work that they had contributed to the community. Therefore, as we all know, civil rights are our intellectual properties that we all need as a human being. Never take them as granted. Once we lose our civil rights, we lose everything.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes, Rustin’s openness about being gay make the situation worse. First of all, he was hated by his relative, his relative was so close to him that Rustin will share any secrets that he had to him. His relative was a place where Rustin could pour out any bitter in his heart. However, after he told his relative, he was astonished that his relative hated him right after.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
It really depends on the place. In the United States, I believe that statement can apply. I have seen many gay, lesbian, homosexual people are being discriminated. They are just treated differently than those others who are considered as “normal” to the community. People who are homophobic are holding on to this statement.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
I do think that the barometer of human rights today are black people(still), and homosexual. Believe it or not, black people can be considered as one of the barometer of human rights as of today. Firstly, I couldn’t believe the fact that some of black people are still considered as the barometer of human rights. There will always be some haters that will find something to hate. The members of the LGBT community are still fighting for full equal rights by hoping to grant the right to have a same-sex marriage, to be accepted in the workplace, and to be treated equally.
I think that the history will remember the struggle for LGBT rights by seeing how hard it is to have equal rights when you are part of the minority that is hated by the majority.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDelete- I’m agree with this description, because no one ever heard about him, or his doings. People tried to hide him as hero because he was an open gay. And that society at that time didn’t accept such things. He was withdrawn from different organizations, only because of one reason, he was gay. But still this man was very strong on what he did, he is incredible man, his thing of nonviolence was really hard to have.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
- The new information about Bayard Rustin showing and introducing me a lot of new stuff. The most people still judging people on their looks. Mr Rustin was gay, and that was a bad thing for others, they didn’t understand gay people, why and how much they are different. Even though Bayard was one man for a million, they still withdraw him from their organization.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
- The issue that he was an open gay affected the Rustins life from the first day public knew it. All the looks in eyes of others, their cold relationships with you. Because he was open gay, it affected his career. He is very smart man, great leader, but he is gay. The “gay” cover, covered his others skills, and people didn’t want him anymore.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
- I think people changed, and this statement is not really true. A lot people today accept gays, lesbians, and etc. Today there even more gays and lesbians around the world. But still there are some people who are very offensive to gays and lesbians. They thinking is not right to have one gender love. I still don’t know if it’s right.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
- Today a lot of people judged because of their look, religion. A lot of people thinks, if you muslim, you are terrorist, but it’s not, there a lot great people who are muslims. Most beliefs are based on the stereotypes.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Because he believes in nonviolence and he always work in the backscene as an organizer. Yes, I see him as a hero. He is a hero because he used his wisdom to tell America every human being are equal without exception. He devoted his whole life to the freedom of black Americans.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
Civil rights movement is not seen as written in the paper. It’s more cruel and sorrow. Bayard Rustin was beaten up even he reminded silence in the case of bus where he refused to leave the front seat. Civil rights movement is essential for African American to gain equality from the society.Now I understand why there were so many marches, assembles, speeches occurred during the civil right movement, Because those rights can not be exploited by any means of method.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes. Because being a gay is not so quite acceptable in that society. People would use offensive languages and actions to harm his personality and his contributions. But if he remained closeted, it was even dangerous when people eventually found out he was a gay. As a matter of fact, the characteristic of gay made him more of a target.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I think it holds true today. People used to judge others by their skin, religion and so on especially skin color. So black people were the target of white people in United States. But as time goes by black people were accepted by others gradually. The other issue jumps out which are gay,homosexual, lesbian. Those people are considered as mental diseases by their choices of sex. Rustin was included. He received discrimination and judgement as a gay person. So I think it holds true today.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Queens Community Center for Gay Seniors. They have a get-together each month. They danced together and have meal together. They promote the sense of harmony and the equal rights for gay. History will remember the current struggle by reaching the full equal rights for LGBT people.
1.I think Rustin was the “invisible man”, because, when we talk about civil rights movement, we don’t usually think of Rustin. More often we talk about Martin Luther King Jr. but still, Rustin was an important figure of organizing non-violence protests against segregation. He had significant influence to Martin Luther King Jr.
ReplyDelete2.by learning Bayard Rustin’s contribution, I know that there were a lot of behind the scene of civil right’s movements. And I learn that civil right movement was not a easy process and some people even die for that. And many people get hurt and many tragedies happened.
3.yes, during that time, people had many misunderstandings about homosexuals. Most of them were against it. So openness of gay sentiment made him a target. People started to think bad about him and he was excluded from certain group. However, if he had chosen to remain silence about his gay, people would not have distance them from him. And he would be more acceptable.
4.yes, it’s true. before, people discriminated against black and colored people. And after civil rights movement, it was changed. And now, people are started to change their views about homosexuals.
5.Queens Community Center for Gay Seniors. They promote equal rights for GLBT.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI agree upon calling Rustin the invisible man and the unknown hero because most of his great works were hidden due to the fact that he was a gay. I totally see him as a great hero and astounding civil right activists. I admire him to the greatest level as his contribution to the civil right era was a turning point for the African American people.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
Due to the immense homophobia that existed during that era he was considered as an outsider even though he was a brother and a great civil right activist. His own people treated him as an outsider made me think twice as I always thought that everyone was treated equally and was fighting for the same cause in the African American community.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Rustin’s openness about being made him more of a target because to the immense homophobia that existed in the society. If he had remained closeted he would not have been turned down by his society and he would rather be a nation hero regarding the great work he was doing.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I think its certainly true about judging a person and treating them un equal just because they are gay , homosexual or lesbian. But at the same time I think that people are starting to accept others even if they are homosexual because we are making it our priority to put ourselves in others shoes and trying to understand their point of view.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
I see the people who are gay, homosexual, lesbian as the barometer of human rights today. Queens Community Center for Gay Seniors they struggle and fight for LGBT rights.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with these descriptions about Rustin. I think that he has been hidden from because of the immense homophobia that existed at this specific era. The fact that Rustin was openly gay makes it difficult for people to respect honor him despite his great achievements. I see him as a bright hero because despite challenges he always shows sign of positive mental and spiritual health therefore fought for his rights by applying the non-violence concept. His works deeply influence the African American community until today.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
This shows that the discrimination was not only high against people of African origin but also against homosexuals. Rustin wasn’t accepted from his own community just because he was gay despite he has accomplished for them.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
His relative openness about being gay made it more difficult for him in his life because people were very homophobic so they didn’t accept him for who he is therefore he was alienated by his own people.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I greatly agree with this statement because nowadays people are being bullied, and even killed just because of their sexual orientation. I notice in the news how people are being mistreated because of their sexual orientation, and even in schools, kids are calling others names.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
SAGE is working well. They give these people a place of sanctuary by helping them to get away from these negative assumptions of the world.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden ue around the world and if it gets done, it will change people’s mind universally.
ReplyDeletefrom history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
Yes, I agree that Rustin is the “invisible man”, because he spent a lot on civil rights movement and he did not show up, he is hugely important to the civil rights movement, and I think because he worked behind the curtain and he didn’t show up, and nobody is pay attention to him which caused he has been hidden from history. I see him as a hero, because he put a lot of effort on the civil rights movement and he support those who fight for human rights silently.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
I think these who fight for civil rights should knows not to violate other people’s right, because that was what they are fighting for, and Rustin got unfair treatment because of he is gay, compared to his contributions, people should not done like that, and in other way, they violated Rustin’s rights. But also, I understand why many people in history choose to use non-violent way to fight for human rights, because it is more powerful and more peaceful, such as speech, assembly and so on, just like the saying ”words are more powerful than swords”.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes, Because in Rustin’s era, gay is not accepted by others, and his relative openness about being gay made other people exclude him, and consider him as an outsider instead of insider.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
No, I think it is not true today, because gay, homosexual, lesbian are more public now, and many more people are accept these people, and people are educated today, they know how to respect other’s rights, even though there are some cases of discrimination based on sexual orientation, but the percentage is getting lower and lower.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Queens Community Center for Gay Senior is a group of people who are taking care of Gay people in NYC, and LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights by getting right for gay marriage, and to spread the words for people to accept LGBT, and I think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights, because it is a big issue in the world, and if it gets done, it will changes our mind universally.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteAns. Yes, I agree with it because even though Rustin was a strong fighter through the civil rights movements, no one really knows about him and he was an invisible fighter who fight for african americans rights. Yes, I think Rustin is hidden from history. I do see him as a hero because he didn't only fight for his own rights. He fought for all the people even though he didn't know them and they weren't connected to him.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
Ans. Civil rights movement is not seen as written in the paper. It’s more cruel and sorrow. Bayard Rustin was beaten up even he reminded silence in the case of bus where he refused to leave the front seat. Civil rights movement is essential for African American to gain equality from the society.Now I understand why there were so many marches, assembles, speeches occurred during the civil right movement, Because those rights can not be exploited by any means of method.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Ans. Yes, I think Rustins relative openness about being gay make him more of a target and gave him more support to reach him goal or whatever he was fighting for because being a gay is not so quite acceptable in that society. People would use offensive languages and actions to harm his personality and his contributions. But if he remained closeted, it was even dangerous when people eventually found out he was a gay.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
Ans. yes, it’s true. before, people discriminated against black and colored people. And after civil rights movement, it was changed, even though its still happning . And now, people have positive and different views about homosexuals.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Ans. Queens Community Center for Gay Seniors. They have a get-together each month. They danced together and have meal together. They promote the sense of harmony and the equal rights for gay. Also Queens pride house where they are also helping people who have wrong gender and they also arrange different party to support them.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI agree with calling Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” ,because he did very excellent job in the world . he has been hidden from history because he was a gay . that was discrimination by the human . right now I saw him as a hero ,he get a lot of help with people . I praise his jobs and hope other people can agree with him .
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
He did many jobs for us but we also think he was like a outsider but he also as a brother and a good civil right activist . therefore ,the civil right is for ourself . everybody need this . so we have to do it .
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes it is .because if he openness tell every one he was a gay . his life will change in other way .
His family and his friends will think about him . they will think his purpose is not good enough .
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
Yes they changed after that , the discrimination get changed . that is goods for us to be equal with here . now they will think the gay’s problem .
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Queens Community Center for Gay Seniors. They have to do some Propaganda for that . also in the school the respect for all week is help the people get the knowledge about that .
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with these descriptions. I think Rustin has been hidden from history because nobody known him and he did many meaningful things to help African American to be free and human rights.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
I discovered him and his monumental contribution to the civil rights movement years into my tenure. As excited as I was to find this unknown black gay hero, I could not shake the anger I felt for being denied such an important role model.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes, Rustin’s openness about being gay make the situation very bad. Because he was hated by his relative, his relative was very near to him that he will stell many things to him. He is a gay, so people don’t like him anymore.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I think most of people were changed, and this statement is not really true. Because today a lot of people accept gays. But some people still can not accept gays. Because yhey think is not a right behavior to love a person. So, I think it is not true.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Queens Community Center for Gay Seniors. They protect gays’ rights and fight for their rights, also they tried to change people’s mind to accept gays.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteAns: Rustin was a hidden person who actually didn’t show his presentence to the public. He worked behind the scene with Martin Luther King Jr. so she’s not popular like other activists. Yes, I see him as a hero. He’s a wise person and his voice were too powerful.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
Ans: Rustin began his lifelong career as a social and political activist in 1937.He was the first field secretary of the Congress of Racial Equality, overall he was a anti-Communist. People didn’t treat him very well because he was a gay. His movements didn’t give him so much because the result was too little but he was happy with the steps and moves he did.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Ans: His being gay was caught by the public. That attention help people to focus on gay rights besides the right for blacks.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
Ans: Yes, it’s true. before civil rights movement, black people were segregated now it changed. And now, people started to change their views on homosexuals.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Ans: SAGE is working good to give these people a place of sanctuary by helping them to get rid of these negative assumptions of the world.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteYes I agree with these descriptions. I think Rustin has been hidden from history because he was a gay. Yes, I do.He wasn’t ashamed of being the one he is really and he was a peace lover. And his words are very strong and powerful. After knowing about his life it reminds me of a quote which is “pen is mightier than the sword”.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
There were so many peoples who had been worked so hard for the civil rights and still people are fighting . Sometimes they don’t get recognition for their greatful work but I think as a human being we all must fight for our rights because if we don’t have our rights we have almost nothing. There would be no difference between us as human and the animals.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
I think that the Rustin’s relative openness about being a gay made him more of a target than if he had remained closeted. Because telling the truth made him go far from his own people and became an alien for everyone.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I think it does hold the truth today.because since there are lots of people still being discriminated for being the one they want.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
I think the barometer of human rights are still the colored people and also the LGBT people. Even Though LGBT members are trying and fighting for their rights to have same sex marriage and to be accepted everywhere like everyone else.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteYes, I do agree that Rustin has been a hidden figure because the strong cover of Martin Luther King, Jr. has influenced most people, not that of Rustin. Because Rustin worked behind the scenes with Martin Luther King, Jr., public did not know that much about Rustin. I also think Rustin did not like to be so popular in public. Yes, I see him as a hero with his initiation of First Freedom Ride against segregation in busing, promotion of nonviolence philosophy and leadership in civil rights movement.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
It is extremely hard to shape one’s perspective. Civil rights movements are not very easy to do because they are to express ourselves and transform public’s wrong thoughts to right ones. Bayard Rustin gave all he had for all people out there like him and was not treated the same way because he was gay. The amount he got in return for what he contributed was so little but he was just proud of what he did to his people.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes, it did. His confession about being gay caught public attention and helped them also focus not only on racial segregation but also on gays’ rights. Moreover, since it was really rare to see a leader like him that time, he created a new breakthrough in public as a black and gay activist.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
Yes, it holds true not only for those LGBT people but also for all people who feel or think that they are different from others. Barometer of human rights apply for all people.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
I mostly see women as the barometer of human rights around the world especially in underdeveloped countries. Members of the LGBT community try to form organizations, protests and pass legislations related to same sex marriages in countries. History will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights with how hard we all strive for this issue and the outcomes we would definitely gain for our hard work.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI surely agree with these descriptions because I personally have ever heard about this man in my whole study of black history including civil rights movement until yesterday and i am certain that i’m not the only one. I think Rustin has been hidden from history because of his background according to the society he was part of, his belief and sexual orientation as well and also at that time there was a war going on, so i think that they were more focusing on the war than the black gay man.. Seeing him as hero is putting him at higher bar on the scale, and i believe that anyone who stood for what is right, fought for it should be considered as a hero.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
Knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions as well as about the way he was treated affect my understanding of the civil rights movement in a way of make me being more thoughtful and analyzing to come up with the conclusion that many other people might have fought for us black to get more respect and more right but we don’t even know about them, many facts had been hidden from the eyes of the society.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
I really think Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted, because if had remained closeted it wouldn’t make a difference, at that time the black community was really conservative, being black and being gay was a very heavy issue.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I really think it holds true today because the acceptance of black people has extended even racist people still do exist in those days.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
The group that i see as “ the barometer of human rights” today are effectively people with different sexual orientation than what most people believe suppose to be normal. Well, members of this community are trying to get them more respectful rights, like having the right to be legally together so they won’t have to hid from the society.
ReplyDelete1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
I agree with the description of the historians, because i think his race and sexual orientation made him go through discrimination, so even if he did something good people wouldn’t recognize or appreciated as if it was good just because he was left out as an outsider. I personally see him as a hero because neither his race or sexual orientation held him back from doing what he has to do. Being a wise man knowing that came to accomplish and raising your voice at people wasn’t necessary made him heroic for me.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
The civil rights movement was led by black people knowing that Rustin was black and gay made him a different person he was not accepted in the black community nor the organization.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted, because he could have get opportunities that he lost after the public knew he was gay. All his leadership skills were screwed because of his sexual orientation. So I think he should have remained it closeted.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I think this statement is not really true today because now people discriminate you for anything i mean you don’t have to be LGBT or Black to be discriminated even White people and straight people are all victims of discrimination
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Nowadays people are not only discriminated based on their race they could also be judged based on their gender, social status, religion etc...
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Because he believes in nonviolence and he always work in the backscene as an organizer but was considered as an outsider. Yes, I see him as a hero. He is a hero because he used his wisdom to tell America every human being are equal without exception. He devoted his whole life to the freedom of black Americans.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
The new information about Bayard Rustin showing and introducing me a lot of new stuff. A lot people still judging people on their looks. Mr Rustin was gay, and was discriminated badly, they didn’t understand gay people, why and how much they are different. Even though Bayard was one man for a million, they still withdraw him from their organization.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
His relative openness about being gay made it more difficult for him in his life because people were very homophobic at this time and considered him as an outsider in the black community.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I think its certainly true about judging a person and treating them unequally just because they are gay , homosexual or lesbian. But now people are starting to accept the fact thaty people can choose their own sexual orientation
What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Queens Community Center for Gay Seniors. They promote equal rights for GLBT.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI agree with these description. He works very hard for civil rights but nobody knows about him.
I think he is hidden from history because of his sexual orientation. He knows people do not accept homosexuality and he decides to work behind the scene. He is a hero for me because he is low profile while he fight for civil rights, which is extremely important for us today.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
Knowing about Rustin’s contributions make me think a little more about the Civil Rights Movement. It makes me think about if there are more behind scene workers at that time. When we talk about civil rights, the first thing pops out in our mind is MLK. In fact, there are a lot of people like him and all of them have their own contributions.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes. At that time, people do not accept homosexuality, they usually relate it to something bad. If he remains closeted, people will not know about that. I believe the society will simply accept him because he is a true leader to fight for civil rights.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I think this statement is kind of true for today. There still are people judging others by their skin colors today. We can see this in our real life. Same to the LGBT community, some people discriminate them. In fact, there are more people accept them today.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
As long as discrimination exist, there will be “the barometer of human rights”. LGBT communities are still fighting for their right in many states. SAGE organization provide a place for LGBT seniors so that they will feel involved.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteyes, I agree with this description because nobody knew about him. Also he was hidden of the history because people thought that been an homosexual was bad so they didn't want it been in the history. However, to me he is an hero because he did things that not everyone want to do as fight for the discrimination that they were living.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
At the first time i thought it was a big group that join together to fight for some right but i can see that it also start for one person and then, others were join to that cause because they don't want to lose their civil rights.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes, Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of arget because his family didn't accept him and also the society thing that it was so bad. He was fingered because of it and they didn't care about the was smart and the reason why he was fighting they just remember that he was gay and they didn't want him.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
In some countries as USA this statement is not still true because there are many lesbian and gay in the street treat equally than the others but in other case when the people still been homophobic this statement still been true.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
today a lot of people were judged by the religion, how they look and the color of the skin.
1.Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI agree with those name that were given to Bayard Rustin, “invisible man” and “unknown hero”, Instead people open their eyes and see the great work he have been doing but instead they discriminated him because he was an homosexual. He have been hidden as i said before because of his sexual status. I do see him as a hero because he was really wise and was peaceful and wasn’t into violence. As they said in the article he was the young Martin Luther King Jr. Him being an homosexual didn’t affect him meaning the way people discriminated for. That did not matter what matter is for blacks to have rights.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
Rustin was an openly gay man, which didn't sit well with many leaders in the civil rights movement. Its hard to believe how some people are fighting for the same goal and telling the other to stand out of the spotlight because of their social orientation? That is really unbelievable..
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
I think if he remained closed then people from his own race and fighting for the same dream wouldn’t discriminate him and make him feel as an outsider. I think he shouldn’t have say about his sexual orientation but when i think about it more the public would have know that. When they see him with another guy cuddling, they would have figure it out.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I think it is still true today that the barometer of human rights in judging the character of the people in regard of their sexual orientation not about the Black people anymore. Discrimination of black reduced from his time to my time now its more about your sexual orientation. In some states, it is legal for people from the same sex to get married. Some are against it. Those who are not ok with that make you feel like an outsider.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
The group I see as the barometer of Human Rights is gays and lesbians and also people who are muslims ( the one who are cover from head to toes). The supporter of LGBT protested all over the country asking that same-sex couples be given the same the same right.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI agree with these descriptions.I think Rustin has been hidden because he was a gay, at that time,if people knew he was a gay, people may not follow him.He also fighted for black people.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
Bayard Rustin was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights movement,homophobia does not lessen that fact. He reminded silence in the case of bus where he refused to leave the front seat. People choose to use non-violent way to fight for human rights, because it is more powerful and more peaceful.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes, Because gay is not accepted by others, many people contribute for the civil rights. It’s difficult to fight if people knew he was a gay.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
Yes, it’s true. But some black people still are discriminated from their color. People also can discriminate others by different ways.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
“The barometer of human rights”. LGBT communities are still fighting for their right in many states.People are still discriminated from others by religion, color...
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI agree that Rustin was the “invisible man” and the “unkmown hero” of the civil rights movement. No one ever hear about him, and his actions. Society hide him from the world, because he was a gay. At this time people didnt accept such things like lesbian, gay or bisexual. Also, many different organizations didn’t accept him because he was gay. Even though he had many downs, he was very strong and he did what he thought is the best for future generations.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
I never before heard about him, I think many people hide him because of his sexuality. After our class I started to see new points of history. The judging people because of their secuality is still visible today. Many people still don’t understand gay people, why they are like that. In my opinion judging, because of sexuality will never finish.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Being gay affected the Rustin’s life since first day he said he is a gay. People started to treat him very cold. He didn’t have any friends, even his family was very upset at him. Being gay affected his career, no one wanted to work with him because he was a gay. Rustin didn’t give up and fought for his rights.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I think the statement might be true in some situations. Many people are still judging others, because of their sexuality. I think that won’t never change.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
All this judging people is based on the sterotypes, which is wrong. We can’t judge people because how they look, what they believe, or how they are.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI agree upon calling Rustin the invisible man and the unknown hero because most of his great works were hidden due to the fact that he was a gay. I totally see him as a great hero and astounding civil right activists. I admire him to the greatest level as his contribution to the civil right era was a turning point for the African American people.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
This shows that the discrimination was not only high against people of African origin but also against homosexuals. Rustin wasn’t accepted from his own community just because he was gay despite he has accomplished for them.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes, Because in Rustin’s era, gay is not accepted by others, and his relative openness about being gay made other people exclude him, and consider him as an outsider instead of insider.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
It really depends on the place. In the United States, I believe that statement can apply. I have seen many gay, lesbian, homosexual people are being discriminated. They are just treated differently than those others who are considered as “normal” to the community. People who are homophobic are holding on to this statement
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Today a lot of people judged because of their look, religion. A lot of people thinks, if you muslim, you are terrorist, but it’s not, there a lot great people who are muslims. Most beliefs are based on the stereotypes.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI think calling him an unknown here makes sense because even though he made such huge contributions to the civil right movement in the U.S., not a lot of people know about him. I think the main reason for that is the fact that he was gay and that he was “advised” to stay in the shadows in order not to bring attention to himself. I think because Rustin was almost like a martyr and because he dedicated his whole life to fight back the inequalities of society, that makes someone that can be considered a hero.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
I think the treatment received by his fellow civil rights activists was very ironic because the civil rights movement has been the biggest manifestation for equally in the history of the U.S. and, however, inequality existed within the movement, which is very contradictory.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Rutin openness made made him more of a target because people sort of avoided being around him so they too wouldn’t be seen as gay.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
Yes. Despite of the fact the American society respects racial differences much more than it did in the past, gay people still being mistreated in many ways and I think that is the challenge of our generation regarding civil rights.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
I think both immigrants and the LGBT groups are the ones that can be considered the barometers of human rights. LGBT groups, for example, are still fighting for the right for marriage and for equal treatment in society. How history will remember their efforts depends on “who wins” or, in other words, if they are successful in achieving their goals. But if they are successful, they will be admired as people who fought for what they believe in and made the world a safe place for everyone.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Because he believes in nonviolence and he always work in the backscene as an organizer. Yes, I see him as a hero. He is a hero because he used his knowledge to tell the world that all human being are equal without exception. He devoted his whole life to the freedom of black Americans.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
By learning Bayard Rustin’s contribution, I know that there were a lot of behind the scene of civil right’s movements. And I learn that civil right movement was not an easy process and some people even die for that. And many people get hurt and many tragedies happened.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Bayard’s openness made him more of a target or victim in people’s eyes because he was not afraid to speak up and show his true identity.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
Long ago people discriminated each other because of color and race..but these days it’s not about skin color anymore..people stereotypically look at gays lesbians....the unit of judging human have changed. It is very true and I regret to admit it.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
People should not judge others by their looks. People stereotype muslims as they are terrorist. Also now people are speaking up a lot for their rights especially in western countries.Immigrants and LGBT can be considered as human barometer. History might remember them depending on the outcome of the struggle.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteHe believes in a world without violence, and all what he did in the human rights movements makes him a hero, even though at this time many people don’t know him, that’s why he is known as a invisible man or unknown hero. He was hidden because he was homosexual.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
I know that there were a lot behind the civil rights movements. People chose to use non-violent to fight for human rights, because it is more effective in people’s mentality.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Most of homosexuals were hated at that time, so, obviously it was a excuse for people to start pointing him, if he would have remained closeted, maybe we wouldn’t have known too much about Martin L. King as a hero, we could see Rustin above this name.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I’m completely sure it holds true today, there are many factors that make people reject gays homosexuals and lesbians, such as traditions, culture and the biggest factor, religion. People are being bullied, and even killed just because of their sexual orientation.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Queens Community Center for Gay Seniors is an organization which fights and protects gays’ rights and tries to change people’s mind to accept gays, homosexuals and lesbians. I have no idea how this is going to end up, so history might have different memories.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the description given by the historians on Rustin. He was the invisible man of the civil rights movement. He was in charge of planning many of the biggest peaceful protest during that time but wasn’t acknowledged because of his sexual orientation. After reading articles and documentary about Bayard Rustin, I see him as a hero of this country. Disregard of his sexual orientation, he was just a very wise and peaceful man who just wanted everyone to have the freedom they deserve and be treated equally under the law.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
I have never heard about Bayard Rustin until I came to this class. And I have learned that he contributed in leading and creating many of the protest during the civil rights movements but he also opened up about his sexual orientation. Isn’t it strange to you how they were protesting to stop discrimination but then discriminated Bayard Rustin and not acknowledging his work because of his open homosexuality?
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
If Rustin remained closeted about being gay, he would have been recognized by a lot of people because of what he has done for the civil right movements. Why? Because back then people were very conservative. “Men should only like women”. Rustin was just different and became an outsider because of that disregarding his works
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
I do agree with what Bayard Rustin said. It is true that discrimination of black reduced from his time to our time now which is more about your sexual orientation.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
The group that we see as the barometer of human rights today are gays and lesbians. Around the nation, they still are fighting to be treated equally.
1. Historians have called Rustin the “invisible man” and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Do you agree with these descriptions? Why do you think Rustin has been hidden from history? Do you see him as a hero? If so, what makes him heroic to you?
ReplyDeleteYes, I do agree that Rustin has been a hidden figure because the strong cover of Martin Luther King, Jr. has influenced most people, not that of Rustin. Yes, I see him as a hero with his initiation of First Freedom Ride against segregation in busing.
2. How does knowing about Bayard Rustin’s contributions – as well as about the way he was treated – affect your understanding of the civil rights movement?
It is extremely hard to shape one’s perspective. Civil rights movements are not very easy to do because they are to express ourselves and transform public’s wrong thoughts to right ones. Bayard Rustin gave all he had for all people out there like him and was not treated the same way because he was gay.
3. Did Rustin’s relative openness about being gay make him more of a target than if he had remained closeted? Why?
Yes, it did. His confession about being gay caught public attention and helped them also focus not only on racial segregation but also on gays’ rights. Moreover, since it was really rare to see a leader like him that time, he created a new breakthrough in public as a black and gay activist.
4. At the very end of the film (at 1:21:21), Rustin says: “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.” Rustin made this statement shortly before his death in 1987; do you think it holds true today?
Yes, it holds true not only for those LGBT people but also for all people who feel or think that they are different from others. Barometer of human rights apply for all people.
5. What group or groups do you see as “the barometer of human rights” today? In what ways are members of the LGBT community still fighting for full equal rights? How do you think history will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights?
Members of the LGBT community try to form organizations, protests and pass legislations related to same sex marriages in countries. History will remember the current struggle for LGBT rights with how hard we all strive for this issue and the outcomes we would definitely gain for our hard work.