Welcome to my passion blog about my take on historical and present leaders from around the globe! I have always loved history and one aspect that really fascinates me is the leaders that influence history itself. This is why I will dedicate this passion blog about leaders, their influence in society, and their impact on me.
I would like to start this passion blog off with a world-renowned leader – Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was one of the most important figures when it came to getting independence for India from the British. He is especially known for leading India’s non-violent movement and his completely peaceful tactics of protest. He would later inspire movements for civil rights and freedom across the world, including the anti-apartheid movement in South America and the civil rights movement in the United States. This is what I was taught in school, but there was more to Gandhi than that.
As I did my own research I discovered some interesting facts about Gandhi. Not only did he fight for independence in India, but he also fought against racial discrimination in South Africa. Furthermore, he also worked on many social issues in India, like the caste system and religious discrimination. As I looked more into Mahatma Gandhi and the history surrounding India’s independent movement, I realized that he was not as perfect as depicted in history classes or books. Like many politicians, he was two-faced and a hypocrite. Nationally and Internationally he posed himself as an opposer to the caste system, but in his hometown in Gujarat, he supported it. Furthermore, he would preach about the unity of Hindus and Muslims, but he prevented his son from marrying a Muslim girl. He also sexually exploited young women for his “spiritual quest.” These are only a few examples of Mahatma Gandhi’s flaws. As I got older, I understood that independence and rights need to be fought for and cannot always be won by just protesting.
This helped me learn more about the other forces behind India’s independence. Freedom fighters such as Bhagat Singh, Azad, and Sardar Patel laid down their life for India by truly fighting for independence and motivating others to also fight injustice. For example, Bhagat Singh was an Indian Revolutionary and vocal critic of British rule in India who dedicated his life to the independence of India and inspired many others. Unfortunately, He was sentenced to death and hanged at the young age of 23! These fighters never really got the recognition they deserved in the fight for independence.
Learning about the truth of Gandhi helped me realize that the role models we are taught to look up to are not always who they seem to be. It is important to always understand the truth about leaders and recognize both their good and bad. Gandhi’s non-violent principles are ones that people around the world, including me, look up to. However, I now also acknowledge his negative side, which helps me see a more objective view of Mahatma Gandhi and his actions.
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This is a very captivating perspective on Mahatma Gandhi. It also shows how schools take an overwhelmingly positive approach towards figures such as these- the only way I found out about Gandhi’s other side was through consuming content outside of school. As an Indian, I also do agree with you on the freedom fighters point- I did not know any names until my parents told me of them and I read about them in content such as this blog post.
Gandhi’s another situation that’s similar to the “separating the art from the artist” conundrum. His globally-impactful political service and freedom fighting changed many lives, most directly those in India, but his flaws are hard to forgive. It’s also interesting that most history books simply gloss over this sad truth to portray a flawless picture of Gandhi even though his legacy is clearly flawed and must be held accountable for the heinous actions committed.
I haven’t come across a blog with a topic like this one! Reevaluating historical figures is a really interesting subject and something, that I think, is important to do. In my experience, history tends to look on these men and women with rose colored glasses, preventing us from truly evaluating what kind of people they were. I have heard of some of Gandhi’s wrongdoings as you have mentioned, and it’s a shame that these actions, and other leaders who helped free India, are not better known.
It was very interesting! I liked who you chose as the leader of your first blog. Also, I enjoyed how you didn’t just talk about the good things like in the textbooks. We need to know who the people we look up to are. I am interested in reading the rest of your blogs!