Lives dedicated to nonviolence inspire us
March 26, 2011
As the Season of Nonviolence comes to a close, we commemorate the lives of two renowned figures who changed the course of recent history: the American civil rights movement’s leader, Martin Luther King Jr., and the “apostle of nonviolence,” Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi’s living flame of the power of nonviolence, apparently extinguished by the bullet of his assassin, was symbolically and literally revived in the life of King. As a prominent torch bearer of Gandhi’s legacy in North America, Martin Luther King Jr. confirmed and gave new meaning to the broad value of Gandhi’s nonviolent methods for confronting injustice.
King visited Gandhi’s birthplace in 1959 and was both inspired and energized by Gandhi’s historic success with nonviolent activism. “I left India more convinced than ever before that nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to the oppressed people in their struggle for freedom,” King wrote.
While he was deeply influenced by Gandhi, he created his own version of passive resistance to secure rights for his people. He modified the strategy in accordance with his core Christian framework. He invoked the symbolism of suffering on the cross and advocated the paradigm of Love-force, similar to the Truth-force described by Gandhi. King’s stirring references to the parables from Christian texts and Jesus’ central teaching of “turning the other cheek,” and his personal dedication and charismatic, fearless leadership, became key factors in inspiring the masses. His motto, “Freedom and Justice through Love,” invoked the activist element of the Love-force.
The philosophy of nonviolent activism continues to be relevant as evidenced by the emergence of nonviolent movements all over the world during this season. Can the method of passive resistance be reworked in a secular globalized context? We see continuing evidence of this. Current movements seem to embrace some of the ingredients of Gandhi’s and King’s strategies, which have proven to be more or less successful depending on the use of a systematic, comprehensive strategy and the force of mass participation.
King’s adaptation of Gandhi’s methods for the Western context are serving as a model, providing a recipe for nonviolent mobilization in the modern world. Some ingredients include a clear vision of the goal; a firm belief in the force of nonviolence and love; complete dedication to the cause; a relevant, shared narrative for inspiring the participants; and creative methods of renunciation and resistance.
A leader’s personal commitment to the principles, an ability to convey the objectives effectively, and embodiment of the “change one wishes to see in the world” also motivate.
Gandhi’s and King’s lives, although truncated by assassins, confirm the immortal power of the universal moral principles of truth and love. They are living inspiration for confronting our modern-day challenges.
Gandhi believed that “nonviolence is the weapon of the strongest,” that it would bring peace instead of paranoia, and create an environment in which humanity and nature can flourish in harmony.
A Lane Interfaith Alliance celebration concert with readings for the Season for Nonviolence will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 477 E. 40th Ave. For more information, call 541-747-3887.
Veena Rani Howard is a Gandhi scholar who studies the Hindu Way of Saints and Sages. This column is coordinated by Lane Interfaith Alliance to offer inspiration, share personal spiritual experiences and bring a deeper understanding of individual faith perspectives with the intention of blessing our community and the world. For information, visit www.laneinterfaithalliance.org or call 541-344-0430.