MLK and Gandhi

 

I had never sat down to read the entirety of the Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” (King, in Bump 121) speech until today. As I read, I was overwhelmed by the imagery King uses and how effective it is. He talks about the “quicksands of racial injustice” (King, in Bump 121) and the “cup of bitterness and hatred” (King, in Bump 122). As I read, I was moved by the speech, yet saddened by the knowledge that many who heard this speech were bitter and not receptive of this great message. The reason many refused to hear his message was, as Chetna pointed out, fear – most notably, the fear of change. Both Gandhi and King were fighting to change the society in which they lived, to break down the barriers that were most apparent at that time. The people that prospered from the established social order feared their demise if it changed.

 

1 King and Gandhi lead marches to change their societies

 

 

Over the past few weeks, as a class, we have argued the difference between a role model and a hero. Some have said that heroes must die and come back (Campbell), while others think that complete devotion to one’s beliefs achieves hero status. I personally think that it is heroic to believe so strongly in an idea and to stand up so fervently for ones beliefs that one is willing to die for them.  The Oxford English Dictionary defines passion as “violent love” and “the suffering of a martyr” (OED, in Bump 124). King, undeniably, possessed immense passion. Emily stated in her post that King may not be a hero because he only fought for the rights and lives of black Americans, and didn’t call for equality that sees past “religion, race, gender, and personal ideas” (Emily’s post). I tend to disagree. Racial inequality and the violent crimes against African Americans were at the forefront of American life, yet most people tried to ignore it. By fighting for his own people, King opened the door for other minority, ethnic, and religious groups to fight for their ideals. Passion is also defined as “the zealous pursuit of an aim” (OED, in Bump 124). King fought to so that “all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (King, in Bump 121). Equality for his people was his passion.

 

                      

2 King died for his beliefs

 

Passion is also defined as “any strong, controlling, or overpowering emotion, as desire, hate, fear, etc” (OED, in Bump 125). It struck me as odd that having intense fear would be considered passion. Is it saying that if you have an intense, paralyzing fear of spiders or clowns that you have passion? For me, passion usually possesses a positive connotation. If one has passion, he or she has a deep desire to play a sport, to do good in the world, or to spread knowledge, not be afraid of spiders. Gandhi did have passion, but his “overpowering emotion” (OED, in Bump 125) was love. He practiced the deep “universal love” (114) of ahimsa. “Where there is ahimsa, you will find love and selfless service” (114). “Selfless service” are the two words I believe should be the qualifying factors of heroes. Heroes put themselves on the line time and time again for others and do nothing out of selfishness. These two great men gave of themselves to better the world for others. For me, THAT is heroic.

 

3 Gandhi preached a doctrine of love