November, 2023 |
ISSUE 353
|
BOOKS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 53
Qsaltlake.com
the bookworm sez REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
‘BAYARD RUSTIN: A LEGACY OF PROTEST AND POLITICS’ EDITED BY MICHAEL G. LONG, FOREWORD BY CLAYBORNE CARSON, C.2023, NYU PRESS, $27.95, 256 PAGES
You will never settle. And why should you? If it’s not right, you make it right. If it can be better, well, then get at it. You find the solution, or you go on to the next thing because good enough is never good enough. As in the new book “Bayard Rustin,” essays edited by Michael G. Long, there’s always work to do and good trouble. Somehow, it seems, in the discussion about Martin Luther King and the
q scopes NOVEMBER BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
ARIES March 20—April 19 Family and friends are going to be a focus in life right now. It’s okay to set some rules and allow yourself the space you need. But don’t neglect your own needs to feel a sense of belonging and community. The festivities are starting. TAURUS Apr 20—May 20 Whatever you think is going on, there are things you clearly need to figure out. Do what it takes to put things in perspective, whether that means writing it down or sending yourself an email. Be your own best friend and advocate now. GEMINI May 21—June 20 Your dreams aren’t all coming true, but some seem to be manifesting as a reality in forms you weren’t expecting. That is all good because the world needs to make sense to
leadership he brought to the Civil Rights Movement, certain things may be left out. In the case of Bayard Rustin, says Long, the record needs to be altered. Today, now. His mother was still a teenager, and unmarried when Rustin’s grandmother helped deliver him in the spring of 1912. The boy’s father refused to acknowledge him, so his grandparents gave him a family name and raised him in their Quaker faith. Still, alongside the peaceful, gentle mandate of Quakerism, young Rustin experienced Jim Crow segregation. His grandmother left a major impact on him, teaching him compassion, kindness, and generosity — she reared him to do the right thing — but they lived in Pennsylvania, where racism was common, and the Klan maintained a nearby presence. As if that wasn’t difficult enough, Rustin realized he was gay, which was illegal then.
At that point, though, he had seen many wrongs around him, and he became an activist. He also worked for justice as a speaker and organizer; at one time, he’d embraced communism but eventually became a socialist. By his own admission, Rustin was jailed more than 20 times and served on a chain gang for several months — but even then, his nonviolent Quaker beliefs emerged, and he befriended his jailers, gaining their respect. By the time he met a young preacher named Martin Luther King, Rustin was wellversed in civil rights work. He had direction, contacts, and the organizational skills the movement needed. And yet, he was willing to let King take the front stage… Pulled together as a collection of essays, “Bayard Rustin” has one flaw that probably can’t be helped: it’s quite repetitive. Each of the essayists in this book wrote
extensively about Rustin, his work, and his impact, but there just doesn’t seem to be quite enough about Rustin himself — perhaps because, as editor Michael G. Long indicates in his introduction, Rustin left a legacy but history left him more in the background. This means that the nearly two dozen contributors to this book had only what they had to go on, hence, the repetition. Even so, if you look for Rustin, you’ll find abundant tales about him and this book has a good portion of them. Readers will be entertained, confounded, and pleased by what they read here. It’s like finding treasure you never knew you needed. This book needs to sit on the shelf next to everything written about Dr. King. It’s an essential companion to any volume about the Civil Rights Movement. If you need history, find “Bayard Rustin” and settle in. Q
make room for imagination. In the end, satisfaction will come.
LIBRA Sept 23—October 22 You thrive during this season, and it’s a good feeling to be back here again. The temptation to outdo last year is tempting, but sometimes less is better. Keep plans small, and you’ll find the best things come in quaint packages. Have fun!
CAPRICORN Dec 21—Jan 19 You might be wondering when the rest of your life is going to begin. Would it surprise you to find that it is already starting? Embrace the moment and move forward on that big project you’ve been putting off. Your life is one of passion.
CANCER June 21—July 22 Far from home is a place you want to be, but it’s not always possible to get away. Do what you can to bring a sense of that place to you. Buy, create, and let your creative process do the rest. The world is your playground, and so is home. LEO July 23—August 22 The dance you perform when you’re alone could be loved by the world outside. Dare to share and be there for those who see you. If anything, you could work on expanding your horizons by sharing and learning. Throw a party and dance away. VIRGO August 23—Sep 2 What’s going on with you, Virgo? It’s like you don’t even know what you want, and it almost doesn’t matter. That is because you are riding high and living your best life. While this may not be totally true, there’s no reason not to believe.
SCORPIO Oct 23—Nov 21 The last time you were here, it was not easy to figure out where you were. But it’s a new day, and forward-thinking serves you well. Help friends and loved ones see you want to be a strong superhero for them, and save the day with love. SAGITTARIUS Nov 22—December 20 Whoever is trying hard is not really doing the most important work, which is finding balance within. The peace you need is nothing to apologize for. Anyone judging is likely falling shorter than you. Stand tall, and find yourself in a good place.
AQUARIUS Jan 20—Feb 18 With great pride comes amazing revelations. While you might not feel it now, the world is in love with you. You might not fully understand what this means, but the message is clear: the world is what you make it. Size doesn’t matter. PISCES Feb 19—Mar 19 Someone surprised you lately with a perspective on worth that you didn’t consider. What you put on the radar is a tricky one, as you want to care but also want to focus. Finding out that everyone is worthy of attention provides clarity.
