"Not my Obedience"- Gandhi's protest speech
I would love for all of you to watch this video from the Gandhi movie (1982) - it is about 3 or so minutes in length but it is powerful! It Gandhi's major speech against the discrimination laws of South Africa during the late 1800s/early 1900s. Please watch and think about it for you and us.
Please note the major themes of his speech and think about them:
1) We welcome everyone
2) We have no secrets
3) We understand the true problem
3) We can have angry and outrage- but those are short-term solutions to a long-term problem
4) We must use the courage of our convictions to take action and stand up for what is just
5) We demand and deserve respect- by ourselves, by our community, and by others
6) We must fight against their angry and receive their blows even though they are in the wrong because we know the truth
7) We cannot lose if we all fight together because we are fighting for what is right
8) Finally the most important thing- they (establishment) will not have my Obedience!
The few cannot control the many, if we have the courage to stand up for our convictions to do what is right and just then we can overcome them.
Therefore, first I will not vote for Hillary just because she is the lesser of two evils- not my obedience. Secondly, WE the people need to work to overcome the establishment to address the social/economic inequalities and injustices in this country. Finally, it is time to stop the few ruling the many- now is the time for all of us to stand and fight.
One note, if you have not watched this movie, please do so it is a great story and example how the many can overcome the powerful few. I watched it again several weeks ago, and wept because living my life now I truly understand the courage of this leader and their movement.
Comments
Many thanks, Borkrom.
I need to watch this whole movie again. You are correct - we are in the fight of our lives, just like he was back then. We can take lessons from his struggle. Our lives depend on it.
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Thank you Raggedy Ann!
I am glad someone notice- this type of protest and fight can work- but we need to take notice and wake up because you are spot on we are in the fight of our lives!!!
The type of resistance is called Satyagraha. Many people say it is passive resistance but that is not true- it is more like fight evil with truth. It was also used by Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyagraha
Just watched this again recently
One of my kids wanted to see it.
I think it is really cool that Ben Kingsley got to play Ghandi. These days he plays a lot of morally dubious characters, so seeing him in this role shows what a fabulous actor he is just by contrast. There is even a small moment near the end where Ghandi gets a bit petulant with a child that is bugging him but controls himself at the last moment. That scene took a lot of insight and really humanised Ghandi for me.
My favorite part is the "I know a way out of hell" scene. That gives me goose bumps every time I think about it. Such a simple, practical way to start on self-redemption. This is the flip side of standing up to our enemies: giving them a way to change.
We can’t save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed.
- Greta Thunberg