Time on Two Crosses: The Collected Writings

Time on Two Crosses presents the key writings and speeches of Bayard Rustin, the civil rights leader who served as a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. and organized the 1963 March on Washington. The collection spans multiple decades of Rustin's work as an activist, strategist, and public intellectual. The book contains Rustin's firsthand accounts of major civil rights events, his philosophical essays on nonviolence, and his later writings on gay rights and economic justice. His correspondence with other movement leaders reveals the behind-the-scenes dynamics of civil rights organizing in mid-century America. The writings trace Rustin's evolution from a pacifist Quaker to a leading advocate of nonviolent direct action, while documenting his experience as both a Black and gay man in the freedom struggle. These primary sources capture pivotal moments in American social movement history through the perspective of a key but often overlooked figure. The collection illuminates enduring questions about the intersection of identity, activism, and social change in America. Through Rustin's words, readers encounter fundamental tensions between pragmatism and idealism in movement building that remain relevant to contemporary organizing.

Readers appreciate Rustin's clear articulation of civil rights strategy and his behind-the-scenes influence on major movement leaders. Many note the book provides context about Rustin's role as both a gay man and African American activist during a challenging historical period. Positive reviews focus on: - Reveals Rustin's philosophical evolution over decades - Shows connections between pacifism and civil rights organizing - Documents his mentorship of Dr. King on nonviolent resistance Common criticisms: - Essays can feel repetitive - Some selections feel dated or too focused on specific historical moments - Limited personal/biographical content Ratings: Goodreads: 4.32/5 (116 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (28 ratings) From readers: "Opens up a hidden history of the civil rights movement through Rustin's own words" -Goodreads reviewer "Would have benefited from more biographical framing between selections" -Amazon reviewer

Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men by Essex Hemphill This anthology collects essays and personal narratives from Black gay writers addressing civil rights, identity, and activism during the late 20th century.

Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton The text examines the intersections of Black and transgender history through archival research and historical analysis spanning two centuries of American history.

Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin by John D'Emilio This biography expands on Rustin's work as a civil rights strategist while exploring the challenges he faced as an openly gay man in the movement.

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin Baldwin's essays connect personal experience with broader analysis of race relations and social justice in America during the Civil Rights Movement.

Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis This memoir chronicles Lewis's experiences from the Nashville sit-ins through the March on Washington, providing insight into the strategic organization of civil rights actions.

🔸 Bayard Rustin, despite being a key architect of the 1963 March on Washington and mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was often forced to work behind the scenes due to being openly gay at a time when this was extremely controversial. 🔸 During World War II, Rustin spent 28 months in prison as a conscientious objector and used his time there to organize protests against segregation in the prison dining hall. 🔸 The book's title "Time on Two Crosses" refers to Rustin's dual persecution - both as an African American and as a gay man during the Civil Rights era. 🔸 A skilled musician, Rustin recorded several albums and used folk music and spirituals as tools for nonviolent protest, including during his time with A. Philip Randolph's March on Washington Movement. 🔸 Though he was initially a pacifist influenced by his Quaker upbringing, Rustin later modified his stance to support armed self-defense during the Vietnam War era, showing his evolving philosophical views over time.