In chapter three, Creed of Non-Violence, Ahimsa is mentioned. I believe Ahimsa is a way of life, passive resistance. Gandhi explains his beliefs on why India should passively resist the British forces. He tells of why forgiveness is more manly than punishment. A list is given on non cooperation.
Mainly, I would like to say that world peace is a lovely idea. But just that, an idea. If everyone practiced Ahimsa, the world would be so cramped and overpopulated we would all die of suffocation. Though one should love their enemies, in real life this is just not possible. Even though the British were actively pursuing the Indians, Gandhi stood firm on his beliefs that they should remain passive. None of this was because of weakness, but because they were stronger and more manly than the British. Sure, we’ve all heard what it takes for a real man to walk away, but lets be honest, Gandhi had to be out of his mind. He wanted to revolt by being nearly naked, wearing only home-spun cloth, and waiting on the British to kill them one by one. This, to me, is absolutely absurd. Why would anyone not want to actively participate in a battle being fought against them? No doubt, it is a spiritual struggle, but to just lay around half-naked all day watching while your brothers and sisters are being murdered seems more like passively being scared.
In chapter five, Women and Sex, Gandhi gives a clear understanding on where he thinks women rank in this world. He tells women to “get used to the idea of going to jail…they must be part of this great movement.” He presents blunt directions to all women on how to live their lives.
Okay, really, do women need a man to tell them how to live their lives? Gandhi is nothing but a sexist, condescending homosexual. He says he thinks women should either parade around trying to sell the pure clothes off their backs or sit at home and spin the cloth. Who did this guy think he was? First he would tell the women how great and fearless they were, and then he’d tell them to stay home, spin cloth, and make their husbands happy with animal love. It’s sexist men like Gandhi that try to move women and India back into the stone ages that ruin this world.
In chapter six, Caste and Untouchability, Gandhi speaks of the “birth class” and how it must stop.
This chapter almost made me cry. After completely and whole heartedly disagreeing with everything he had to say, I finally agreed with him. It is unmanly for any person to claim superiority over a fellow-being. This is so true. The caste system and untouchability is relevant all over the world, not just India. Everyone in the world has experienced some sort of discrimination, and for Gandhi to explain this and decide it is unacceptable is truly remarkable.
This book, as a whole was not very readable. Some of the chapters were good, they got my mind going. I guess I can only be thankful that such a reformed simple man like Gandhi can make such a difference. Now I don’t feel like such a tiny piece of sand in this world. For the most part, Gandhi had some good ideas, nothing I believe would really work. I think that if Gandhi had actually thought his ideas out, he would have understood the concept of overpopulation. I suppose when I think of Gandhi, I think of the guy that wanted world peace, no one ever says how he hated the English government. I couldn’t help but to imagine Abu from the Simpson’s fighting the little English cop from Cookie Crisps (simple minded). I guess that’s why I’m not considered a world leader.