By: SL Barasch
One is the father of Indian independence; the other is the icon of African American civil rights. But both men share a powerful message of non-violence and spiritual resistance to oppression.
There are many parallels between Gandhi’s views on non-violent resistance and MLK’s views on nonviolent direct action. Both men believed that peaceful protest was the most moral form of action. They both shared a deep understanding that using violence would only lead to more violence, which is why they turned to nonviolent methods for social change. And both were devoted to their causes with their whole hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. Manual pdf
Read on to find out more about these two great leaders who helped shape our modern world.
Gandhi and MLK’s Similarities
It’s impossible to talk about MLK and not mention Gandhi. They were both advocates of nonviolent resistance, and they share a lot in common. One of the most important things is that they both believed in making social progress without violence or bloodshed. Gandhi was the father of Indian independence; he spearheaded non-violent protests against British rule, which ultimately led to India’s freedom from British occupation. MLK was the founder of America’s civil rights movement; he fought for racial equality and freedom from discrimination through peaceful methods. Both men used nonviolent methods to achieve their goals. And both men were extremely devoted to their causes – Gandhi spent his whole life working for Indian independence, and MLK sacrificed everything – including his life – fighting for African-American civil rights.”
Exploring Gandhi’s Views of Nonviolent Resistance
Gandhi’s views on nonviolent resistance came from his deep understanding that using violence would only lead to more violence. This is why Gandhi turned to peaceful methods for social change. Gandhi believed that by not responding to violence with violence, we were able to make it clear that we would not stand for the injustice and inequality of our society.
When you look at the teachings of Gandhi and the life of Martin Luther King Jr., you’ll find many parallels. They both believed in nonviolent resistance and turned to peaceful protests as a way to convince those in power that they needed to address those issues plaguing their societies.
In fact, MLK was one of the first leaders who identified himself as a follower of Gandhi. In 1960, MLK wrote a letter from Birmingham City Jail where he talked about how Gandhi’s teachings influenced him as a leader, saying “nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue.”
Even though they never met, there are so many similarities between these two great leaders. They both dedicated their lives to fighting for equality and freedom from oppression through nonviolence. And they both left behind powerful messages that continue shaping our modern world today.
Examining MLK’s Views on Nonviolent Direct Action
MLK was a man of deep Christian faith who believed that non-violent direct action was the most powerful way to achieve social change. MLK followed Gandhi’s example of using nonviolent, direct protest tactics in order to fight injustice and oppression without using violence. He believed that there should be an ethical resistance to violence, which is why he advocated for civil disobedience. MLK also viewed racial equality as one of the most important goals of his life because he could see that this was an issue that greatly affected society.
This philosophy of non-violence may have started early in his life. MLK witnessed firsthand the consequences of violence when he was just 15 years old and saw a woman killed by a speeding car during a crosswalk because she refused to move out of the vehicle’s path. From this point on, he pledged himself to non-violence.
Gandhi practiced ahimsa or “non-violence”. This meant not only refusing to use physical force but also refusing to make anyone else use it on your behalf. He wrote, “My creed is kindness towards all creatures.” Gandhi didn’t want anyone else to take responsibility for his actions since they were his own decision.
The Importance of MLK and Gandhi in History
Gandhi and MLK are both celebrated for their work in the fields of nonviolence. They both used nonviolent methods (such as boycotts or marches) to achieve their goals. And both were committed to fighting for what they believed was right. They each faced many obstacles, including violent opposition, but neither man backed down. This is what made them so successful.
One could argue that these two men are among the most influential people in history. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the world would be a very different place without Gandhi or King…or both.
Conclusion
Rohit Gandhi, a professor at Columbia University, wrote an article for The New York Times. In his article, he states that “many similarities exist between Gandhi and King, and that the two men shared the commitment to nonviolence and civil disobedience. He goes on to state that “Gandhi’s views on nonviolent resistance were nuanced and complex and offer a deeper understanding of his commitment to nonviolence.” Gandhi believed in nonviolent resistance not just as a means to an end, but as a way of life. Martin Luther King Jr. had a similar commitment to nonviolence and civil disobedience, which he believed was the only way to bring about change in a nonviolent manner. As Gandhi is often quoted as saying “even if you have to live in a violent world, do not live in a violent way.” MLK’s belief in nonviolent direct action is what led him to fight for justice in the US. Manual pdf Ultimately these two men’s views on nonviolent resistance were revolutionary and transformative for their respective times. Manual pdf
In conclusion, Rohit Gandhi is right when he says these two men’s different perspectives on nonviolent resistance is what makes their work so important in history.
