Thanks, looking forward to the third instalment (wouldn't we need at least one more on Mandela and South Africa ;-?
"Mainstream" historians and journalists have foregrounded the non-violent tactics of selected insurrections to such an absurd extent and this series of articles is thus a welcome counter-weight.
Indeed, figures like Gandhi, King, and Mandela are portrayed in media and popular culture as they never have existed, in the case of "MLK junior" (tm) literally as an effigy cast in white marble. So people inspired by the famous quotes from Gandhi, King, and Mandela are in for quite a surprise, once they read their speeches... quite similar to actually reading the gospel of Jesus.
=> Beyond the missing (violent) parts of the movements, could you tell us how you critically appraise the actual historical Gandhi: which aspects, if any, do you want to reclaim from the Hollywood version starring Ben Kingsley?
ps
Norman Finkelstein has written a short book (What Gandhi says) on non-violent tactics and spirituality summarising the small library of Gandhi's written works (only Gandhi's take, not a historical reconstruction). While noting many pragmatic contradictions, Finkelstein constructs a general through-line: Gandhi actually preferred violent resistance to cowardice, the non-violence that emerges from fear. Above both he placed non-violent resistance that comes from a place of inner strength, which Finkelstein notes sometimes borders on a "death cult".
This is so illuminating and clearly written! Thanks a lot and all the best!
Thanks, looking forward to the third instalment (wouldn't we need at least one more on Mandela and South Africa ;-?
"Mainstream" historians and journalists have foregrounded the non-violent tactics of selected insurrections to such an absurd extent and this series of articles is thus a welcome counter-weight.
Indeed, figures like Gandhi, King, and Mandela are portrayed in media and popular culture as they never have existed, in the case of "MLK junior" (tm) literally as an effigy cast in white marble. So people inspired by the famous quotes from Gandhi, King, and Mandela are in for quite a surprise, once they read their speeches... quite similar to actually reading the gospel of Jesus.
=> Beyond the missing (violent) parts of the movements, could you tell us how you critically appraise the actual historical Gandhi: which aspects, if any, do you want to reclaim from the Hollywood version starring Ben Kingsley?
ps
Norman Finkelstein has written a short book (What Gandhi says) on non-violent tactics and spirituality summarising the small library of Gandhi's written works (only Gandhi's take, not a historical reconstruction). While noting many pragmatic contradictions, Finkelstein constructs a general through-line: Gandhi actually preferred violent resistance to cowardice, the non-violence that emerges from fear. Above both he placed non-violent resistance that comes from a place of inner strength, which Finkelstein notes sometimes borders on a "death cult".