Ghandi’s non-violent forms of social resistance against British colonial rule in India and teachings have left a valuable legacy to the world. His non-violent methods are said to have inspired the Civil Rights movement in America in their fight against racial segregation and injustice as well as countless other liberation struggles worldwide….

One loose quotation of Ghandi’s that inspires and stays with me is that “we must endeavor to embody the changes that we wish to see in the world.” He also had boundless wisdom and foresight. Consider the salience of his identification of the seven social blunders committed by humanity; “wealth without work or principles, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character (apathy), commerce without morality, science without humanity, politics without principles and worship without sacrifice.” Back to the no violence principle though; when a friend of mine was confronted by a group of guys that apparently wanted to fight him; his response instead of retaliating was to hold his ground firmly, point a finger and say “no violence”. That shamed the would-be attackers and he was able to walk through them without incident. Dope story, no? There is something to be said for the diginity of not sinking down into violence.

Ghandi also worked tirelessly to bring unity to both Hindu and Muslim Indians. On another note though, whilst I was doing my research for this post, I was disturbed by allegations that he held racist views, which he may have cultivated during his stay in South Africa. Although he was still fighting colonial injustice there, he allegedly did so for the Asian community only; and he sought to put distance between the Africans and the Asians their by pleading superiority… Unfortunately, there’s always an alleged downside right?

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