☛ Cette critique est aussi disponible en français [➦].
Translated by Florence Bois-Villeneuve.
Released in 2003, the documentary Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin recounts the life of Bayard Rustin (1912–1987), an unjustly overlooked figure in the U.S. civil rights movement. This activist organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, in 1963¹, and was an advisor and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. A man of principle, Bayard Rustin was known at the time as both a pacifist and a troublemaker. So why is he so invisibilized in the civil rights movement? That’s because Bayard Rustin was gay and made no secret of it, despite the pressure from the authorities and, above all, from his activist entourage.
The documentary portrays some activists, such as Malcolm X, as one-dimensional and essentialized. But this is not its only flaw. It also fails to address some darker aspects of Bayard Rustin’s activist career, notably his support for the U.S. government in selling military equipment to Israeli forces, and his denial of the human rights violations experienced by Palestinians. It appears, however, that this somewhat watered-down portrayal of the character served to massively distribute the documentary among all kinds of political bodies, such as the United Nations, members of the U.S. Parliament and union rallies. The film has also been widely shown since 2003 as a tool for raising awareness about inclusion and diversity in schools and workplaces.
From a sexological point of view, it goes without saying that Bayard Rustin’s invisibilization has to do with his sexual orientation. As a Black, openly gay political figure in an era that criminalized homosexuality, Bayard Rustin definitely shattered a glass ceiling, even if the progress he achieved often remains unacknowledged. One can only admire Rustin’s resilience and determination to defend his ideals and improve the physical conditions of African-American people. His character will return to the big screen once again in 2023, in an eponymous movie. The biographical drama will be produced by Higher Ground Productions—the production company run by Barack and Michelle Obama—and distributed on Netflix.
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¹ The March on Washington was a political march held in 1963 to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African American people. It was at this event that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his historic I Have a Dream speech, calling for an end to racial oppression.
Reference
Directed and produced by: Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer
Title: Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin
Date of publication: January 17, 2003This movie is available on Kanopy