The Chicago Urban League and WTTW joined forces to screen Bennett Singer's award-winning documentary Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin at Center on Halsted Feb. 28.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Whitney M. Young, Jr. and a host of other countless civil-rights movement leaders were highly influential in the political, social and economic progression of the African-American community. Singer's documentary invites viewers into an intimate look of Rustin's life, times and struggles as an openly gay civil-rights leader.
"He had been forgotten by history. Our goal was to rediscover him," said Singer.
Singer's documentary reveals to audiences of Rustin's influence on the civil-rights movement. The film depicts Rustin as a mentor to King, and partly credits Rustin as the man responsible for the launch of nonviolent protests. Through personal interviews, pictures and historical footage, the film portrays Rustin's rise as well as his resistance to let his sexuality define who he was to the community and the fight for civil rights.
"We wanted to highlight his accomplishments to the community. He was gay at a time when it was not okay," said Singer.
Prior to the screening, Chicago Urban League President Andrea Zopp talked about not knowing Rustin's major role in the civil-rights movement and even challenged herself to think why she had not heard of him. According to Zopp, Brother Outsider was so impactful that she plans to hold a private screening at her home for friends and family to spread the word about Rustin's legacy.
"If you have not seen this film yet, you are in for a treat. It's a moving film. He was truly the architect behind the march on Washington," said Zopp.
Singer and Chicago Urban League Vice President of Communications Roderick Hawkins held a discussion forum after the film. During the discussion, Hawkins shared his experience on the importance of passing the film along to everyone as to reach a wider audience and grasp. When the film first came out back in 2003, Hawkins screened the film at his church, Trinity, where it was well-received by churchgoers.
"The fight for freedom extends to everyone, not just the LGBT or African-American communities," said Hawkins. "There is no patent on it."
Brother Outsiderwhich was funded by the Independent Television Service, the National Black Programming Consortium, the National Endowment for Humanities and other private funders, according to the websitehas been featured on MTV's LOGO and PBS, and premiered at the Sundance festival.
"It's been a real positive embrace from the LGBT community. It's an American story. It's a human story," said Singer.