ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Bayard Rustin

Okay kiddo, let me tell you about Bayard Rustin. Bayard Rustin was a very important person who lived a long time ago. He was born in 1912 and passed away in 1987.

Bayard Rustin was an activist for civil rights, which means that he worked to make sure everyone was treated fairly. He was especially known for his work in helping black people have the same rights as white people in America.

When Bayard Rustin was growing up, segregation was very common in America. This meant that black people were not allowed to do a lot of the things that white people could do, like eat in the same restaurants or go to the same schools. But Bayard Rustin believed that everyone should be treated equally, no matter their skin color.

Bayard Rustin worked with many other civil rights leaders, like Martin Luther King Jr. and A. Philip Randolph. He helped organize famous events like the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Bayard Rustin fought for many things, like voting rights for black people and ending segregation in schools and businesses. But he also fought for other important causes, like gay rights and ending the Vietnam War.

Despite all the good things Bayard Rustin did, some people did not like him because he was black and gay. But he never gave up on his beliefs, and he showed people that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and fairness.

In summary, Bayard Rustin was a very important person who fought for civil rights and showed people that everyone should be treated equally, no matter what.