The Political Compass

[Kyuuketsuki]

Just as I thought. I'm like Gandhi it seems, except that I'm not a racist

Was Gandhi a racist?

Kyu

[LukeMC]

It seems agreed across the board that he was. Thing is, I'm struggling to find any sources to cite other than a fleet of forum discussions. The reliability is questionable but:
"When Gandhi addressed a public meeting in Bombay on September 26, 1896, he had the following to say about the Indian struggle in South Africa:[1]

"Ours is one continued struggle against degradation sought to be inflicted upon us by the European, who desire to degrade us to the level of the raw Kaffir, whose occupation is hunting and whose sole ambition is to collect a certain number of cattle to buy a wife with, and then pass his life in indolence and nakedness."
http://www.stormfront.org/forum/showthread.php?t=223176

Kaffir: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaffir_(ethnic_slur)
^Just in case you aren't familiar with the word.

[Giff]

Just as I thought. I'm like Gandhi it seems, except that I'm not a racist

Was Gandhi a racist?

Kyu

Yes, Indeed as many people those days. He didn't like african people and encourage indians to acctually disriminate them and not tolerate them. He also believe that they only was eating and sleeping all the time and was lazy.

His opnion did get from the time he was in south africa. He didn't like the discrimination of indians there but he said that it was a distinct diffrence between indians and africans.

So he had racist opinions. If he had those all his life can I not answer. But it certain that he had those values when he was younger during his time in south africa.

[leo-rcc]

Just as I thought. I'm like Gandhi it seems, except that I'm not a racist

Was Gandhi a racist?

Kyu

He sure was. He detested african natives while stationed in South Africa.

Now let us turn our attention to another and entirely unrepresented community-the Indian. He is in striking contrast with the native. While the native has been of little benefit to the State, it owes its prosperity largely to the Indians. While native loafers abound on every side, that species of humanity is almost unknown among Indians here.

In 1905, a Bill was published regulating the use of fire-arms by the natives and Asiatics. Commenting on the Bill, the Indian Opinion of March 25 1905 Ghandi stated:

In this instance of the fire-arms, the Asiatic has been most improperly bracketed with the natives. The British Indian does not need any such restrictions as are imposed by the Bill on the natives regarding the carrying of fire-arms. The prominent race can remain so by preventing the native from arming himself. Is there a slightest vestige of justification for so preventing the British Indian?

On February 15 1905, Gandhi wrote to Dr. Porter, the Medical Officer of Health, Johannesburg (CW. IV p.244, and "Indian Opinion" 9 April 1904):

Why, of all places in Johannesburg, the Indian location should be chosen for dumping down all kaffirs of the town, passes my comprehension.

Of course, under my suggestion, the Town Council must withdraw the Kaffirs from the Location. About this mixing of the Kaffirs with the Indians I must confess I feel most strongly. I think it is very unfair to the Indian population, and it is an undue tax on even the proverbial patience of my countrymen.

[g-mark]

Interesting. If you look at my map, my position is very similar to Gandhi, but I am far from a racist.

How could this occur if I am not racist?

[Giff]

I might that it's known that he during his life became les rascist against africans. His racist point of view probably came from his time in prison in south africa.

Gandhi is mosly potraited as a good man who fought for freedom for his people. He was a good man and had great ideas, which Mandela also builded on, so the racist opinions he had (atleast in his younger years) is not anything that people in general suits with the image of him.

However I doubt that he during his entire life where completly racist. But that he had racist opnions about africans is fact. That in it self shows a huge flaw in his character.

[g-mark]

Now that is interesting. I learn something new every day. Cheers

Actually, I am racist. I am racist against stupid people.

Does anyone think this is a flaw in my own character?

[Tiberius]

Interesting. If you look at my map, my position is very similar to Gandhi, but I am far from a racist.

How could this occur if I am not racist?

Errr...perhaps because your political opinions don't reflect you attitudes towards race, etc.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

That in it self shows a huge flaw in his character.

Inmy opinion it does not,in itself. The basis of racism is emotional not rational. It's a fear reaction based on ignorance. That Ghandi may have been racist reveal him as human and very much of his times.

Of course the man had flaws,many,but racism as character flaw is not one of them.

I've studied Ghandi's life and his Satygraha movement as part of my studies on India. I've never him as other than a very devout, smart, middle class Hindu of his caste (vaishya) who was in the right place at the right time.. .(a technical term is a "liminal figure")

[Edwardo Piet]

Interesting. If you look at my map, my position is very similar to Gandhi, but I am far from a racist.

How could this occur if I am not racist?

lmao!

I don't think there is a 'racist point' on the political compass, at least per se.

Once again - lmfao. Sorry I found that funny.