Consider and discuss Mahaatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jrs ideas

Running head : GANDHI AND KING

Gandhi and King : Social Reformists of Nonviolence

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Gandhi and King : Social Reformists of Nonviolence

Nonviolence has been used as an instrument of peace throughout history and it has proven to be an effective tool in instigating change in the society . Spearheaded by Mohandas Gandhi 's moving principle of nonviolent action towards the unjustly rule of the British forces in India , change is indeed possible if done out of the context of truth in

love

The precept in nonviolence operates under what Gandhi termed as satyagraha or soul force which sought to compel change by way of non-cooperation and self-sacrifice for the attainment of justice Gandhi 's worldview revolutionized the path social movements followed and morally awakened its consciousness . It didn 't take long for the whole world to take notice of Gandhi 's efforts and aspire to understand the philosophy behind nonviolence as a means for social transformation

Martin Luther King Jr . was one of the modern social reformists who adhered to the teachings of Gandhi 's nonviolent action in eradicate racial segregation in America . Just like Gandhi , King had personal experiences of racial discrimination which had propelled him to act in defiance towards the injustices that prevailed in American society . His frustration on the black segregation system prompted him to find alternative solutions for the furtherance of black civil rights in a white-dominated America

Impressed by the impact of Gandhi 's satyagraha principle , King incorporated the concept with his strong Christian background and created an unstoppable force within the convictions that echoed the sentiments of the black people . While great minds do think alike , their ideas tend to diverge in different tangents and this holds true for Gandhi 's and King 's comprehension of nonviolent action /passive resistance

Both Gandhi and King believed that in to free themselves from the fetters of racial prejudice , they had to resort to disclosing the social realities that undermined their civil rights in a way that did not induce a violent force , rather , a force that was directed towards love This entailed self-sacrificial acts to incite a moral response from the oppressors such as enduring physical torture from the oppressors submitting to the law if need be and protesting under dire circumstances . It was a feat that seemed too daunting to be carried out since it requires more from the oppressed individual (Dilks Nonviolence : A Weapon for Peace

The precepts of non-violence engage the individual to be physically submissive but mentally and spiritually active and any individual who is willing to undergo through that must be prepared and committed to take it to the long haul . Both Gandhi and King took the principle to heart and lived it . They did not rest until everyone listened . They understood that freedom would only be granted to them if they demanded it . Gandhi had emphasized that in to achieve outward freedom , one must be free from within...