RUSTIN

US, 2023, 106 minutes, Colour.

Colman Domingo, Ami Ameen, Glynn Turman, Chris Rock, Gus Halper, Johnny Ramey, CCH Pounder, Michael Potts, Audra McDonald, Jeffrey Wright, Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

Directed by George C.Wolfe.

Rustin, Bayard Rustin, seems not to be a familiar name from American politics and history of the 20^th century. And, if this is the case for the US, for audiences beyond America, he is unknown.

Which is a pity. And this combination of drama and portrait is a strong step towards his rehabilitation in the public mind.

Bayard Rustin was born in the American South, Quaker background, cared for by a grandmother, discovering early in his life his homosexual orientation, an African-American. He became very much involved with Civil Rights movements, as early as the 1930s, even participating in 1941 in a March on Washington for these rights, working with activist A. Philip Randolph. He also travelled to India, strongly influenced by Gandhi and non-violence approaches, was interested in Communist movements, developing these themes during the 1950s, eventually linking up with Martin Luther King, a friendship, a break in friendship, but eventually a reconciliation.

All in the above is dramatised in some flashbacks, generally brief.

In fact, the action of this film is in the organisation of the 1963 March on Washington, and the revelation of Rustin’s role. Watching this film will make many realise that when the March is referred to, the visuals will be of the crowds, 250,000, gathered together in central Washington, and the famous speech by Martin Luther King, “free at last…”. Most of us have never given a second thought to the organisation of how the 250,000 came to Washington, the necessary amenities, the role of the police. We are conscious of the racist attitudes of the time not thinking of these attitudes in connection with the hard work of organisation.

Bayard Rustin, played expertly by Colman Domingo, under the direction of author, theatre director, film director, George C.Wolfe, was an enthusiastic and exuberant man. And he had an extraordinary attention to detail. We see his recruiting of a team of young enthusiasts, female, male, black, white, communicating with them, giving them tasks, supervising and checking. He goes to meetings, is supported by A.Philip Randolph (Glynn Turman), clashes for a time with the director of the NAACP, Roy Wilkins (surprisingly played by Chris Rock, grey-haired), discussions with Martin Luther King (Ami Ameen), challenged by Congressman Adam Clayton Powell (Jeffrey Wright). There are slurs on his communist background, racial slurs – and the exposure of a sex case to which Rustin pleaded guilty in the 1950s, especially Strom Thurman speaking under the privilege of Congress.)

And this is complicated, dramatically, by Rustin’s relationship with a married Minister from the South,

us (John Raymey), and a final challenge and decision when Elias inherits his father-in-law’s church and demands are made on him by his wife.

But, the culmination of the film is, of course, the March itself, the gradual arrival of the busloads of people, the role of the police and guards, the enthusiasm, the order, and a glimpse of Martin Luther King’s speech and the invitation by the Oval Office for the 10 key organisers to meet with the president – Rustin not included, but his being seen donning an apron and helping with the cleanup.

Rustin died in 1987 and received a tribute from Ronald Reagan. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom by Pres Obama. (And, can be noted, that this film was made by the film company set up by Barack and Michelle Obama.)

1. The title? Audience knowledge of Bayard Rustin? In the US? Beyond? History of the Civil Rights in Movement? The March on Washington?
2. The film as a portrait of Rustin? A picture of his organisational work, the March, Civil Rights? A personal portrait and narrative?
3. Audience response to issues of Civil Rights in the US, the background of slavery, the background of the Civil War, Lincoln and legislation, abolition, racism, racism in the south, 20^th century legislation being ignored, segregation? The background to this story?
4. Rustin in the 1950s and 1960s, the background of his upbringing, Quaker, grandmother, homosexuality, friendship with A Philip Randolph, the 1941 March, the 1942 episode of sitting in the front of the bus, ordered to the back, refusing, ousted, brutalised, the comment about the passenger telling her child not to touch the digger, and his saying that the child will grow up thinking that Blacks should sit at the back? The 1953 arrest in Pasadena, pleading guilty to a charge, the record?
5. Colman Domingo’s performance, vitality, exuberance, his principles, in himself, Civil Rights, causes, the friendship with Martin Luther King, the early scenes of the meetings, falling out with King, later meetings, reconciliation, the slurs about their relationship, congressmen Strong Thurman and public utterances?
6. The opening of the film, the introduction to a range of Civil Rights characters, A.Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins and the NAACP, Meddler Evers (and his later assassination), discussions?
7. The role of Martin Luther King, his church, his capacity for speaking, family and relationship with Coretta (and Rustin’s visit and her singing)?
8. The idea for the March on Washington? Rustin’s enthusiasm? Wilkins opposition? The Kennedy stances? Police forces? Hostility? African-American enthusiasm?
9. The film detailing of the process, organising, logistics, planning, detail? Rustin and his capacity for detail, for enthusing others, the young recruits and their dedication, allotting their jobs, quizzing them, their success? His relationship with Tom, personal, Tom and his history, gay, leaving his family, relationship with Rustin, attitude towards Elias? The personalities of the other workers, young women, young men, seen in the office?
10. Rustin and the encounters with the police, his background in India, Gundy, nonviolence? Wanting the police not to be carrying arms? The agreement of the New York police? Collecting the weapons? Washington and the range of police, special forces?
11. The various meetings, the discussions with Ella Baker and her motivating Rustin, Dr Helen henchman and her presence, expertise, critique about women’s representation, supportive of Rustin? The tensions in the meetings, the issues, the presence of Martin Luther King?
12. The impact of Rustin’s organisation and the means available in the 1960s – and comparisons with the present in terms of mobile phones, computers, social media, instant information at hand…?
13. Personal aspects of Rustin’s behaviour, the encounter with the liars and his wife, the attraction, the affair, Elias working for the March, the personal episode with Rustin, love, the effect on Rustin? The issue becoming public, Elias inheriting the church, the phone call from his wife, the final meeting, Elias and his choice?
14. Rustin with the group, the media, Thurman and his denunciations, the presence of Adam Clayton Powell and his raising issues, Randolph stopping the meeting? The television revelations about Pasadena, Rustin fleeing, Martin Luther King publicly supporting him, his return?
15. The day of the March, the gradual arrival of the people, the logistics, the buses, people coming from everywhere, the facilities, the crowds filling the space? Martin Luther King’s speech, the highlighting of the section, “Free at last”?
16. The response of Pres Kennedy, his being seen on television promising legislation, the inviting of the top 10 (Rustin not included)? His donning the apron, helping with the cleanup?
17. The achievement of the March, subsequent legislation, Martin Luther King and Selma, his assassination?
18. Ronald Reagan honouring Rustin after his death? Barack Obama awarding in the Medal of Freedom?