Gandhi Was a Racist? (Socialist idol being cast down?)

Daily Times ^ | 03-25-2005 | Yassif Latif Hamdani

[econ_grad]

If you don't think there are objective truths, then what is the point of any discussion?

[econ_grad]

What is your point?

[econ_grad]

I am at least glad that you didn't say to invent the truth. If you do not believe in objective truth, your discovery maybe incomplete.

[Katya]

Okay...let's step back for a moment. History and cultural perceptions are reflective of their time. To use our current standard of understanding as the meter for any other period in time is historically inaccurate.
Yes, slavery was bad, racism is bad, so was sexism...but they were practised and endorsed through out human history. Hopefully we've evolved. While the British built great institutions and brought many of the third world countries into the 20th century, it is also accurate to say that they along with the French and Germans created artificial boundaries and cultural hierarchies, that we're still cleaning up. I deeply respect Ghandi, who took up Tolstoy's theories on non-violence and succeeded.

[CarrotAndStick]

The Colonial Era British were not exactly overflowing with oodles of civility and grace. I advise you to educate yourself of the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre.

[CarrotAndStick]

"He was the real culprit. He deserved it. He wanted to crush the spirit of my people, so I have crushed him."

- Udham Singh, telling the trial court why he killed former Punjab Lieutenant-Governor Michael O'Dwyer.



http://www.punjabilok.com/misc/freedom/jallianwala_bagh.htm

[econ_grad]

I thought I came up with the theory of non-violence. But, you are essentially right. A lot of the times, especially the left, try to impose ex post thinking into historical context that pre-date that kind of thinking. It is not entirely a false concept, because the point is if something is wrong it is wrong irrespective of the cultural context, especially if someone like the "Mahatma" practices it. While I am opposed to imposing ex post cultural thinking into pre-historical norms for people like me and you, I think holding people like "Mahatma" to ex post thinking is probably not a bad idea.

[smith288]

The goiter woman on Seinfeld had a steamy affair with Ghandi so I know for a fact he wasnt perfect!

Ask Elaine, she talked with goiter woman.

[econ_grad]

There are lots of General Dyers in the Indian military.

[Yashcheritsiy]

**I hope you are composing your apology. If not, you need to be aware that your failure to apologize promptly has not gone unnoticed.**

And what exactly was I supposed to be apologising for again?

BTW, I am offended that you are offended. I demand an apology from you for the fact that you were offended and demanded an apology from me.

In all seriousness, I think it actually is pretty sad that you feel the need to demand an apology from someone for posting something you personally didn't agree with. And what's with this business of trying to put across that the post somehow offended massive amounts of other Freepers besides yourself? A couple of other Freepers have *disagreed* with the article, and that is certainly their right, but you seem to be the only one who was "offended" and demanding an apology. Please speak for yourself only, instead of an imaginary army of other Freepers.

[ARridgerunner]

Gandhi slander ping.

[solitas]

I read a great alternative-science-fiction story where the Germans had won WWII and taken over India from the British.

Sounds interesting. Title? There are lots of really good alternative-history books.

[Ibredd]

So what is wrong with defending your way of life, from that you think will destroy it.