Mohatma Gandhi 2Ht

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Mohatma Gandhi

Mohatma Gandhi

• Born in 1869 in British India
• Hindu by religion
• Worked as a lawyer in South-Africa 
• Became an important activist for equal rights
• Murdered in 1948

Mohatma Gandhi

"When I was on a train, a white customer complained to the guard that I was sitting in first class. Apparently Indians are not allowed to sit here. The guard asked me to leave the compartment, but I refused - I had paid for a first class ticket and I had every right to sit there."

What sort of discrimination is this?

1. Classism
2. Racism
3. Hinduphobia
4. Ableism

Discrimination in South Africa

- Racism: anti-Black, but also anti-brown

- Segregation: enforced seperation of (racial) groups into different communities

- Religious discrimination: only Christian marriages recognised

Gandhi started fighting these, inspired by his religious beliefs.

The Bible says: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". What is meant by this?

The Bible also says, quoting Jesus: "Do not resist the one who is wicked, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him". What is meant by this?

Which Bible passage would you find more useful in the fight against discrimination? Discuss with your neighbour and then fill is your answers (+ reason!)

Gandhi's beliefs: 

• Ahimsa: no harm should be done to any living thing
• People should live more humble and simply - fewer possessions
• The real self (atman) should not be found in the physical and temporal body but in the eternal spirit (Brahman)
• You should stick firmly to your religious beliefs and should apply them always and at any time

Discuss and then answer: How could these principles help against different sorts of discrimination?

Caste system

• In India, Gandhi started fighting against the caste system: a Hindu belief that separates people into different 'classes'.
• You are born into your class and cannot move up or down
• Different classes have different rights and possibilities
• Lowest class: the Untouchables

How could you 'break the structures' of the caste system?

Homework

• Read paragraph 2.2 & 2.3
• Make exercises: 
• 2.2 -  1, 2 and 3
• 2.3 -  1 and 2