2008 Woodie Awards
Green speaks at 18th annual MLK tribute
Dr. Adam Green remembers the important work of both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and civil rights activist Bayard Rustin.
Issue date: 2/1/05 Section: News
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His father?s activism heavilyinfluenced Green, and he has fond memories of meeting Bayard Rustin in his home as a child. He described Rustin as "the most charismatic adult I?d ever seen," and said, "That is part of his genius."
In fact, Bayard Rustin is of special importance to West Chester, and has recently been the subject of much debate in the community. The new high school in the borough will be named for the historic activist, although there was much resistance from some residents about the name due to Rustin?s controversial past.
In a series of public hearings, some residents expressed anger at naming a local high school for an historical figure who was openly homosexual and who had once been a youth organizer for the Young Communist League in the early days of his activism in the 1940s.
While not much was known about Rustin in the past, Green credits the documentary film "Brother Outsider," as well as many recent books, for "a long overdue renaissance of interest" in the activist. Green is a commentator for the film, author of the book "Time Longer than Rope: Studies in African American Activism," and an assistant professor of American studies at New York University.
In fact, Bayard Rustin is of special importance to West Chester, and has recently been the subject of much debate in the community. The new high school in the borough will be named for the historic activist, although there was much resistance from some residents about the name due to Rustin?s controversial past.
In a series of public hearings, some residents expressed anger at naming a local high school for an historical figure who was openly homosexual and who had once been a youth organizer for the Young Communist League in the early days of his activism in the 1940s.
While not much was known about Rustin in the past, Green credits the documentary film "Brother Outsider," as well as many recent books, for "a long overdue renaissance of interest" in the activist. Green is a commentator for the film, author of the book "Time Longer than Rope: Studies in African American Activism," and an assistant professor of American studies at New York University.
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