All Comments (23)

Hi, nice very nice page..!

Good luck !

I am far from being an anti-semite, however I would like to point out the contrast between the Christian, George Bush, who in the days since 9/11 has done so much to munificently reward the rabid dogs who gratuitously attacked the country he leads, and the 'Zionist' leadership of Israel which does not give money or military technology to anyone who wants to kill Jews. Furthermore, the obstinate refusal of the Israeli government to implement Gandhian economic, political, educational and social policies has led that country to become a knowledge economy with a good standard of living. Consequently, its neighbors no longer believe it will be forced to take an expansionist militarist course simply so as to achieve economic viability and stave off internal discontent.
The refusal of the Zionists to take Mahatma Gandhi's advice and go as willing lambs to the slaughter at the whim of Hitler or Husseini is surely a blot- not upon the Jews- many of whom are as inclined as the Hindus to abase themselves before Holier-than-Thou Gurus whose moral obtuseness is only matched by their utter fatuity, but upon Humanity itself. For Humanity- the true essence of Humanity- is nothing if it is not non-violence- unless, ofcourse it is nonsense. As Mahatma Gandhi said 'Health is the only true wealth- not silver or gold.'Why not? Nothing that he said was not foolish or did not became so upon his lips.
Yet, such was his soul force, we can not remember his name without a feeling of love in our hearts.

Josev:

You write (among other "writings") that:
Remember; It was the R*O*M*N*E*Y's who stuck it out 'Thick-n-Thin' when His Hon. Martin Luther King Jr. [pbuh] needed the ROMNEY's the Most!, not McCAIN. Not Huckabee, not Giuliani!
Please also help with "ASTRONOMY W.OUT BORDERS"

Josev:

You are rather unfair with respect to McCain.

John McCain was in the military and therefore could not have marched with M.L. King during the '60s. He was training to be the fighter pilot that he became. Indeed, McCain was a prisoner of the North Vietnamese even before King was assassinated.

The only "dream" Mitt Romney had was that his father marched with Martin Luther King. It never happened. Proving once again that Mitty is a liar.

Romney was a student at Stanford for a year then a "missionary" in, of all places, France - not Kenya, not Ghana, not Suriname - No place dangerous for this privileged boy - France - where the greatest danger for a mormon would be a good wine, café noisette, or the most beautiful women on this planet.

Mitt is a spoiled brat just like GW - do we want another GW?

Providence

I have been a pacifist all of my life, which means close to 84 years. Meeting Arun Gandhi,
and his lately departed wife, Sunanda, was a highlight of my life in 1989, when I played "hookey" from work to hear him speak at NYU
in Mahnattan. I recorded his speech and listen to it often, for it helped establish a loving friendship between the Gandhi's and myself.

Instrumental in bringing Dr. Gandhi to CSU/Sacramento, when I lived there from 1991-2004,
it was my pleasure to act as their host, having been in constant corresponence with them from 1989
onward. When I suggested taking them out for dinner, Dr. Gandhi exclaimed "But I would enjoy
dinner at your home" which I was more than thrilled to prepare. Sitting at the table with
these two "messengers of the Holy Spirit" was something I shall not soon forget. Their simplicity and humility reminded me of their importance to the world of those who believe
that violence is not the solution to anything.
I believe as they do, that VIOLENCE BEGETS VIOLENCE. History has proven it so.

It is tragic that Dr. Gandhi's words recently,
have been misinterpreted by those who are convinced that the military ought to be in command of Western Civilization. What he was attempting to say, as near as I can read his language, is that we must never lose respect for all human beings, even those who disagree violently with those of us who believe in their "humanity", despite their dastardly deeds.
We CANNOT forgive them for their horrific actions,
but we must never lose sight that whomever they
are, they are still members of humanity, and must be reached to help convince them that life can be
lived without violence, no matter what part of the world they live in. Violence continues
throughout the world because people fail to recognize that wonderful phrase
from the Bible related to "pounding guns into ploughshares". What a wonderful world it would be for all concerned would that phrase be taken seriously, so that we could plant food instead
of young bodies into that HOLY ground.

It doesn't take an Einstein to understand the simplicity of PEACE, despite our being human beings, some of whom are intent on destroying
a neighbor that will eventually destroy the world.
LAY THOSE WEAPONS OF DESTRUCTION DOWN BOYS!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! As John Lennon said:
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!

It is my hope to continue to work toward PEACE.
Perhaps Dr. Gandhi's words will act as a catalyst to begin more conversations related to PEACE instead of WAR in the future. Those who act defensely fail to attempt to understand the possibility that TRUTH, in times of disagreement, could possibly bring about solutions. It is not a time for condemnation, but to openly discuss
what has been a monster in our midst for much too long.

It is time that every country's young are brought home to their families instead of leaving
their bodies on the battlefields of nowhere,
or carried home in a box under flags of fathers
who died needlessly in causes that could have been prevented, had diplomatic discussions been successful. This new Millennium is a good time
to begin to understand that WARS are passe, and if civilizations are to continue on this battered earth, we must all work together to understand that our humanity is "familial" for we are all
One in the Spirit, and if we understand loving
our "brothers and sisters", how could we think
of killing them?
With LOVE in my heart,
Patricia D'Alessandro
15300 Palm Drive #175
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
760-329-6130
ciaopat@earthlink.net

hear, hear

Malleck take of the blinders. The only thing preventing the formation of a Palestinian state is the Palestinians themselves.

Further Islamic countries have almost always been ruled by corrupt murderous thugs, Turkey since Attaturk being the only notable exception.

ANONS,

When, by signing anonymous, one hides one's face in a hood and uses nothing but hate language, one proclaims very loudly that one cannot be anything other than the KKK or worse.

Mu-Ham-Mad, like Hitler HOLOCAUSTED the ZOROASTRIANS , created a Dioporah & had nerve to steal their SOCIAL & GOVERNMENTAl Laws, & relabeled them [Plagerized] and called them SHARIA!

That's what Islam is trained to do, blame blame blame blame blame game game! Blame it on the JEWS, The Christians, The Zoroastrians... La La La Blame Blame Blame Game!

You should be ashamed to be iSLAMiC or call yourself a "MUSLOM/MOSLEM/MOSLUM...!

Shame shame to a blame game Denying Islam!

PS: Be Greatfull that JEWs {Yahuddi] whom gave ye Abraham [via Esau & Ishmael] Religion and Zoroastrians gave ye Social Laws!

Wow unappreciative Muslum Hazeers indeed! Give an inch take a mile, give an inch take a mile....

This is how Islam via Pakisatin Stole a big chunk of iNDIA!

So Pakistan is on Stolen Land under islamic Al Taqiyah!!!!!!

So Balame iSrael for Stealing a tiny piece of Land from Arabs!!?????

Tiny-Israel is on Stolen Arab Land (under Yahuddi Pretext)??? and

Giant-PAKISTAN (west & East Pakmans) , is on on Stolen Land from INDIA (under Islamic Pretext) ???????

Saudi arabia is always ready to enlarge Islam via Al Taqiya!

Note: MALAYSIA & INDONESIA was not supposed to be Islamic! Yet via Al Taqiya (Islamic Zionism) stole them too! Blame the Jewish Zionism???????? Wow!

Shame Islam Shame! But your days are numbered, It's the Prophecy! You Loose WE Win & ye can'y do anything about it! Ha Ha Ha! Ya Ya! You'll see.

Hint: Soon Very Soon SAUDI Arabia is gonna Drink their own Oil & Iran is gonna have an all out war with Saudi! YES! With Saudi et al! Soon Soon!

Please, do not be in denial to selves nor others, especially ye kids!

MODERN MORALiTY is Superior to Biblical Morality! And this fact & Trend is unstoppable!

Shame shame MUHAMMiDiANS!

Att: Mr. GANDhi, et al;

You should Illegalize Islam in your Country because your gonna loose, via AL TAQIYAH some more land via Islamic Pretex's. They want to join West Pakisatin with East Pakisatin! Inch by inch, feet by feet, yards by Yards, 1/4 Mile by 1/4 mile, 1/2 milw by 1/2 mile, 3/4 mile by 3/4 mile ..... in 50 years you will be downsized!

They know that you cannot aim Niclear Bombs at your selves, so they got you (they are ready & waiting for the Fatwah, order) inside!

Deport them, pay them for their property , but become Islamic [Al Taqiyah, Islamic Zionism] Free!

Mr. Gandhi,

First of all, Sir, allow me to express to you my most sincere admiration for the courage you showed telling things as they are in your original piece. President Jimmy Carter has said more or les the same thing. As a matter of fact you were more kind than Jimmy Carter in your characterisation of the policies of Israel. But it is harder to hit back effectively at Jimmy Carter; it is easier to victimize the grandson of the apostle of non-violence. That is why realists prefer the morality of Game Theory to moral ideal of non-violence.

On the other hand, yes, possibly there might have been an unintended equation of Israeli policy with Jewish values, for which you have mad amply honorable amends. I sincerely think that it is those who stubbornly pushed for the maximax in terms of their influence will reap the mirror-image minimin in terms of the self-destructiveness of their extremism. Uri Avnery, Amira Haass and many other Jews are more critical Israel’s culture of violence than you or I or Jimmy Carter are and, in the image of Economics Nobel Prize winner, Robert Aumann of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, who had switched from hawk to, if not dove at least swan as a result of hard-nosed research in the area of game Theory carried out by himself and his associates at the Center For the Study of Rationality, the most lucid amongst us are aware that there can be no stability unless the aspirations of your opponent are also factored into the even solution of a conflict situation.

Now, to turn to the issue of Sayed Khambakhsh’s predicament. I informed Professor Daniel Dennett earlier today that the moment I read the headline about Mr. Sayed Kambakhsh's trials and tribulations in The Guardian Newspaper of UK, and even before finishing the article but as soon as I had got the gist of it, I registered my protest.
I told him that I would of course, have liked to do more far more.
I told Professor Dennett that a frequent contributor to the On Faith Forum, Victoria, would probably, pacifist as she is, have been gritting her teeth as much as I was (I don't claim to have the ideal Muslim's quality of being a pacifist -- I am a trained Game Theory-brainwashed pragmatist) that she is not going to Kabul to express loudly to President Karzai her reprobation.
But, as I am sure you can confirm to Professor Dennett, the cacophony about the Sudanese Teddy bear was not deadly serious. Any way, no more serious than the Catholic Pastor who, several years back, vociferated that Chicanos who don't speak English should be sent back home because "if Jesus Christ spoke English, every body who wants to live in the US should also".
I told Professor Dennett that I wonder what the Pastor's reaction would have been had somebody pointed out to him that Jesus Christ -- for Muslims, Issa-ibn-Mariam, may God's blessings be on him --- spoke not English but Aramaic, and he should be sent back to seminary school to learn Aramaic.

Artistkvip typed:

"nonviolence is the way things actually get changed because the truth when spoken in a soft voice... repeatedly ...and insistantly over what ever period of time neccesary ..works.."

If and only if they can stay alive. Unfortunately many who speak truth against the madness do not. The work of the free world is to provide sanctuary and a voice for those who find themselves in the midst of this current madness and are compelled to speak out:

Zakia Zaki, one of the most prominent afghan radio journalists (Radio Solh : Radio Peace) and mother of six children, was murdered on June 6, 2007. In this video, she speaks of her hopes for the woman of her country. She was a brave soul:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf4j9pQ7L6M

Zakia Zaki was shot seven times, including in the chest and head, as she slept with her 20-month-old son at her home north of Kabul, officials say.

'Freedom of expression'

The Independent Association of Afghan Journalists has condemned the murder, describing it as an example of how difficult the working environment has become for journalists and especially for women.

"She believed in freedom of expression, that's why she was killed," the association's head Rahimullah Samander told Reuters.

The group said she had received threats in the past but had no personal enemies.

Ms Zaki was a rare female voice in Afghanistan.

you bring up some very important points
the overt violence in society is often the voice of either the tyrinny of the oppressors or the solution of last resort to misguided helpless or helpless feeling people. i thnk it would be a mistake to condone either side...nonviolence is the way things actually get changed because the truth when spoken in a soft voice... repeatedly ...and insistantly over what ever period of time neccesary ..works..... the violent or to be more precise the people who want more than there is of money powere or luxery insist that it be concentrated on....my personal view is there are people i call social preditors who like the sexual preditors are mentally ill and can't seem to help themselves from farming the misery of the poor and the weak...they lie they cheat and they steal and they buy the influence to make other people turn thier heads... don't turn your heads ... i'm not talking about good honest business... i was a mgr for a top 100 company and i know profit is not a dirty word and i managed to lead the state in sales increases and follow more of the rules than my compay insisted on... there is nothing more beutifull than a weel thought out neccessary business turning a profit while at the same time providing true sevice 2 thier customers.. its almost like magic everone benifits.. when the social preditors steal from the poor we all have to pay thier ill gotten bills.. we need to put them in a nice comfortable place but not allow them to handle money or seek power or influence others ... they after all have already yelled ...fire... and then charged us all to leave the burning building i think ,,, but please check 4 truth i'm just an artist

"If Islam is hijacked by a small group of inhuman and radical elements it is for the larger Islamic society to wake up and do something about it."

Dear Sir,
And so if the democracy (Demon-Crazy), and/or Christianity, and/or Judaisim and/or Communists are hijacked by a big-large group of inhuman and radical elements it is for whome to wake up and do something about it?
Dear Sir- muslims might have done wrong (sum total human loss caused by muslim) but many great wrongs are going on here (sum the the toll in varius part of the world by what ever they are Democracy/Christians/Jews/Communists/colonialism etc AND THEN COMPARE). you will probably feel that muslims have far far far...less inhuman and redical elements.

My humble request to you is dont propogate islamophobia, if you truely advocate Justice and Peace-- it is an open injustice.

Best regards,

Abdul Hafiz

RE: Arun Gandhi’s post

The memory of the holocaust has certainly played a role in the thinking of Jews, but Hitler wasn’t the first madman who tried to destroy the Jews and he’s not likely to be the last. Jews have dealt with pogroms for two thousand years and they not going to forget that.

Jews don’t expect the whole world to feel guilty for the Nazi “episode” as Gandhi calls it (what a word to describe genocide!). In fact a major goal of the State of Israel is to make sure that Jews aren’t dependent on the inclinations of others for their survival.

Gandhi’s observation that Israel is not going to get the peace most of its citizen’s desire through force is probably correct. A majority of Israelis would eagerly trade land for peace, but many don’t believe that such a deal can be successful at this time.

Arafat's rejection of the Clinton proposals simply destroyed the peace party in Israel. The Palestinian response to the failed deal was of course the second (and bloody) Intifada.

Like the Palestinians, the Israeli’s have missed opportunities for peace, but despite their greater armed power they’re not the sole cause of the continued hostilities.

It’s true that we live in a culture of violence. Environmental biologists have called our species murderous apes. Human history is largely a history of domination and defeat. But to claim that Israel and the Jews are the biggest players in this area is nonsensical. In the business of mass murder, Jews and their Arab neighbors have hardly caused a ripple.

Since 1960, Africans have killed each other by the tens of millions. More than a million Cambodians died in an illegal war waged against them. In the conflict between Iraq and Iran, a million more died. Closer to Mr. Gandhi’s birthplace, ten million East Pakistani Bengalis were forced to flee their homes in the 1971 war between India and Pakistan.

Anyone who bothers to compute the incidence of violent death on this planet in the last fifty years must be astonished and dismayed by the bloody toll.

One can't fault Mr. Gandhi for bringing attention to the plight of the Palestinians. It’s certainly lamentable what has happened to them. Their lives are a misery. The wall is a horror for them. Most are simply unfortunate victims of circumstance. But it’s also lamentable what has happened to the Israeli people. The Israelis who were injured or died as a result of Palestinian violence were no more deserving of it than Palestinian victims were. Certainly Arafat did not serve his people by refusing to negotiate a deal over the West Bank.

When I read about the furor than Gandhi’s article provoked, I expected to find a (perhaps reasonable) attack on Israeli government policies. Many people, including a large and vocal number of Israelis, feel Israel has pursued the wrong course. But Mr. Gandhi’s attempt to link Jews, Israel, a pervasive culture of violence and ultimately the demise of man shows shows a mind than is highly emotional and sadly biased. I find it hard to believe that Gandhi could actually be an Anti-Semite, but to claim that Jews and Israelis are the main players in the human culture of violence doesn't seem rational by any standard.

Arthur L. Finn

-----Original Message-----
From: ARTHUR FINN [mailto:alf.alff@verizon.net]
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 7:47 PM
To: 'ombudsman@washpost.com'
Subject: Ghandi

Thank you for airing this uncomfortable and sensitive issue. I’m reminded of one of my great heros. Ironically I don’t remember his name but let me repeat the deed. Many years ago many neo-Nazis wanted to parade a largely Jewish populated town near Chicago. Many of these people were holocaust survivors and were ,understandably , very upset by this possibility. The matter went to court and the Civil Liberties Union, as would be expected, defended the parade. The lead attorney for the CLU was a Jewish man. He won the case, the Nazis marched and he was forced out of Chicago. As a Jew I defend Ghandi’s , or anyone else’s, right to peacefully say what ever they wish. Ghandi’s diplomatic skills and subtlety could stand a lot of work but his words are his. They should be attacked, discussed and analyzed but not censored. Is this much different, at its root, than the Moslem reaction to the Danish cartoons?

Arthur L. Finn, Los Angeles, Ca. 310 228 0473

It was with some despair and disappointment that I read the furor over Arun's previous essay. I think the comments were misplaced and often betrayed a conscious avoiding of the real meaning of his work. For the record, I have known Arun for over two decades and he is most unprejudiced non-Jew I have ever met. Also, for the record, I am Jewish. He may be unrealistic (a claim levied against his grandfather as well as Martin Luther King), but do not call him anti-semitic.

I respect your views. Unfortunately, because we have been sepparated by our religious and political views..such as our american political debating, of lies, and their overpriced beauty contests (preventing the average, selfless, community driven individual out of the race) Logically speaking, if you are a true good person, you share what you have, it leaves you with what you need and no more. The world governments have one common goal, money in their pockets. They will not allow peace, because war & fear allows them to take away civil liberties of their citizens. Peace is not on this world because we have disfunctional people running the world. Violent individuals who don't pick up the gun themselves, but are weak and have innocent individuals sacrifice their lives (which in all cultures in disrespect for life itself)
Unfortunately, the whole world is experiencing a cleansing. This cleansing will sepparate the violent from the good. It is the day of TRUTH. Truth gives us sight where lies have manipulated our lives. Across the globe people will be fighting (at their own free will, in what manner they choose) for freedom of that same thing..free will. All and all God has a plan, and each person he is using for his personal agenda. It is not for us as an individual to judge, it's not our place. But, there is a plan, a plan no man can control. Listen to God, and you will be safe. Step off the path and you will be lost.

all my love,
sherry

Free speech has become a confused topic in the internet age. Working things out through words was once a form of play – going back and forth – figuring out the puzzle of communication through dialogue and clarification. In terms of the journalism student in Afghanistan who has been sentenced to death for distributing an article that was considered an insult to the prophet Mohammed, it is especially tragic that those in positions of power quell their own demons by the slaughter of innocents. It is hard to believe that this kind of atrocity exists in this day and age – yet it exists in varying disguises everywhere we look. Of course – with the threat of violence and death – it is frightening to express any thought – any idea, for the ramifications have spiraled out of control and the realm or rationality. The current global atmosphere – whether in America or Afghanistan – is like an electronic age of McCarthism. No one feels safe.

Today, instead of healthy dialogue, a war of words ensues – and there are casualties. Arun Gandhi is a recent example.

Arun Gandhi has been speaking of and working towards peace and nonviolence for decades- and barely a ripple of outrage resulted concerning the violence he has condemned in all the societies and cultures and himself as well.

But in a moment of frustration with the continual violence he witnesses in the world, he made an ill-phrased commentary – a flurry of outraged, disappointed, rejecting emails and letters have found their way to the media.

Why this strong reaction – when his other words – decades of words and work towards peace and nonviolence, produced barely a murmur . . . ?

Unwittingly, Arun has provided a mirror for the rest of the world – in his one moment of a less than carefully crafted statement – a human response to a human tragedy, we see ourselves. Laid bare – our greatest fear –repressed, denied, hidden from our own conscious awareness – is that if Arun is not so perfect, perhaps WE are not so accepting, so inclusive, so good, so fair and just.

Arun has shown us our selves. We reject that part which we perceive as ugly, foreign, alien . . . human.

So Arun is human too, but now, those who harbor secret, unconscious, unacknowledged biases in their own hearts can gleefully, triumphantly point and condemn.

But there is a difference. Arun, in his humble, quiet way, seeks only peace and understanding between all peoples. He seeks only to understand and become aware of his own human limitations and frailties.

It is not enough, his critics shout. His humility, resignation, apologies, grief are not enough to quell the anger, hurt, disappointment, rage, fury that has risen to the surface. I ask . . . have you looked into your own heart? Could anyone who has taken the journey Arun has? Losing his beloved grandfather to an assassin’s bullet; watching his father and mother imprisoned for years in South African prisons as they worked for the end of apartheid; bullied and beat up growing up in South Africa because he was “too white for the blacks” and “too black for the whites”; rising above adversity and pain devoting his life to the promotion of peace, understanding, compassion and nonviolence; losing his dear wife just months ago to a long-term debilitating illness . . . Arun continues to work for the principles of nonviolence, peace, intercultural understanding, and love.

Years ago, I presented my diversity and nonviolence program to the Gandhi Institute. I was quite impressed by Arun’s willingness to learn, to grow, and receive by program . . . After all, he had spent his life studying nonviolence and had known people from around the world. But – he was not satisfied – he was open and utterly humble.
This was not the experience I had had with a number of other agencies and organizations where I had been invited to present my program. Usually the director or head of the organization “was too busy” to participate in the program, giving me the impression that he/she felt that the program had nothing to offer him/her. Obviously, from the position the director was in, he/she felt already knew pretty much all he/she needed to know. With Arun, it was completely different. He was not “self-satisfied,” believing he had all the answers. He actively sought a deeper understanding of himself and others. He showed me that he was a true seeker of truth, a rare human quality.

Those who want to pigeon-hole Arun under the label of anti-Semitic or bigot may find the following story particularly revealing.

In a discussion with Arun about “labels,” I mentioned to Arun that in my workshops I discouraged the use of the word/label “racist.” Though I acknowledge that racism exists, to label an individual as “racist” seemed to me to be yet another way people could reduce a person – minimizing their whole humanity so that the only thing people see when they encounter the person is the label. Arun’s answer gave me much pause. (Paraphrased) he said, “No, you must not call another person a racist. That would be wrong. But, I call myself a racist, because until I acknowledge this limitation in myself, I cannot address it. I cannot work to obliterate it if I deny that reality in myself, my thoughts and actions. We must not label others as “racist.” That is not for us to do. What each of us must do is to acknowledge racism in ourselves. Only then can we begin to understand the devastation and pain that prejudice, hate, and fear cause.”

I do another workshop dealing with age issues. Part of my workshop deals with the question of whether it is realistic or unrealistic, right or wrong, fair or unfair to expect individuals of various generations to fulfill the expectations of other generations. The African American Hip Hop generation and the African American Civil Rights generation may have difficulty finding a common ground, as each has come from such a separate set of historic and cultural circumstances. The very socially conscious standards by which young, politically correct America lives are rooted in a history we don’t quite understand – because we have not lived through all of it. The same can be said of understanding cultures different from our own.

I know of an older white, not-well-educated gentleman who refers to African Americans as “colored.” He is visibly uncomfortable when his granddaughter brings home African American friends. Yet, he cannot say enough good things about his “colored” neighbor. They help each other out by shoveling each other’s sidewalks in the winter, and raking leaves in the autumn. Though the older white gentleman does not use the “politically correct” language of 2008, who would be so unkind as to call him a “racist” – throwing out his simple life with the trash? Can we learn nothing from our generation of elders, because we now have become so conscious and aware that we forget where we have come from, and where they have been?

The recently acclaimed movie “Crash” demonstrates such wisdom. Vignettes of various individuals expose their fears, biases, discriminatory behavior and sometimes outrageous affronts to human dignity. Seen through the lens of a single event, certain characters seem inhuman and cruel. Their humanity is brought to light however, when the lens is pulled back. Each individual is seen n the larger context of his or her whole life. With the “wider lens” the cruel and ignorant are shown to be compassionate and courageous. Likewise the conscious and educated are unveiled to have moments of scathing viciousness, oblivious unconcern, mercilessness, fear, and rage.

Arun Gandhi’s message is his whole life – not a momentary ill phrased sentiment born out of frustration at the continued violence between peoples.

So the “saint” has fallen from the pedestal he was unwillingly placed on in the first place. So he is, after all, human like the rest of us.

The only difference I see, he admits it.

If only those who profess such shock, disappointment, condemnation – could become self aware enough to recognize and admit freely, openly honestly their own human frailties, perhaps then the world would be well on its way towards developing what Arun has devoted his entire life, energy and resources to – a culture of peace.

Precisely because he has led such an exemplary life, Arun is more apt to be the target of our projections – We tell ourselves . . . “repressed biases, fears, hatred and anger are not in ME, but in HIM.” As anyone who has ever studied basic psychology knows, the stronger the reaction, the more likely the rejected characteristic or sentiment resides in the critic.

The war of words and impassioned protests reveal much pain. The pain was there before Arun wrote his blog, and was ready to explode at the slightest provocation. Perhaps in the quest to admit our angers, fears, and biases, we can also admit our pain, which may be the most painful of all. For to admit pain is to admit vulnerability, weakness, frailty, humanity, need . . . need for each other, for closeness, for healing, and for love. We don’t want to be separate form one another. Maybe we just don’t know how to be close.

Perhaps, in this way, this odd and distressing episode has opened the door for discussion.
May I suggest that we start with a measure of humility and a moment of silence . . . appreciation for each other, for our elders, for our children, for our selves, and for Arun Gandhi. He continues, in his own quiet way to show us the way. Can we quiet the screaming in our minds long enough to really listen . . . to really see?

Free speech has become a confused topic in the internet age. Working things out through words was once a form of play – going back and forth – figuring out the puzzle of communication through dialogue and clarification. In terms of the journalism student in Afghanistan who has been sentenced to death for distributing an article that was considered an insult to the prophet Mohammed, it is especially tragic that those in positions of power quell their own demons by the slaughter of innocents. It is hard to believe that this kind of atrocity exists in this day and age – yet it exists in varying disguises everywhere we look. Of course – with the threat of violence and death – it is frightening to express any thought – any idea, for the ramifications have spiraled out of control and the realm or rationality. The current global atmosphere – whether in America or Afghanistan – is like an electronic age of McCarthism. No one feels safe.

Today, instead of healthy dialogue, a war of words ensues – and there are casualties. Arun Gandhi is a recent example.

Arun Gandhi has been speaking of and working towards peace and nonviolence for decades- and barely a ripple of outrage resulted concerning the violence he has condemned in all the societies and cultures and himself as well.

But in a moment of frustration with the continual violence he witnesses in the world, he made an ill-phrased commentary – a flurry of outraged, disappointed, rejecting emails and letters have found their way to the media.

Why this strong reaction – when his other words – decades of words and work towards peace and nonviolence, produced barely a murmur . . . ?

Unwittingly, Arun has provided a mirror for the rest of the world – in his one moment of a less than carefully crafted statement – a human response to a human tragedy, we see ourselves. Laid bare – our greatest fear –repressed, denied, hidden from our own conscious awareness – is that if Arun is not so perfect, perhaps WE are not so accepting, so inclusive, so good, so fair and just.

Arun has shown us our selves. We reject that part which we perceive as ugly, foreign, alien . . . human.

So Arun is human too, but now, those who harbor secret, unconscious, unacknowledged biases in their own hearts can gleefully, triumphantly point and condemn.

But there is a difference. Arun, in his humble, quiet way, seeks only peace and understanding between all peoples. He seeks only to understand and become aware of his own human limitations and frailties.

It is not enough, his critics shout. His humility, resignation, apologies, grief are not enough to quell the anger, hurt, disappointment, rage, fury that has risen to the surface. I ask . . . have you looked into your own heart? Could anyone who has taken the journey Arun has? Losing his beloved grandfather to an assassin’s bullet; watching his father and mother imprisoned for years in South African prisons as they worked for the end of apartheid; bullied and beat up growing up in South Africa because he was “too white for the blacks” and “too black for the whites”; rising above adversity and pain devoting his life to the promotion of peace, understanding, compassion and nonviolence; losing his dear wife just months ago to a long-term debilitating illness . . . Arun continues to work for the principles of nonviolence, peace, intercultural understanding, and love.

Years ago, I presented my diversity and nonviolence program to the Gandhi Institute. I was quite impressed by Arun’s willingness to learn, to grow, and receive by program . . . After all, he had spent his life studying nonviolence and had known people from around the world. But – he was not satisfied – he was open and utterly humble.
This was not the experience I had had with a number of other agencies and organizations where I had been invited to present my program. Usually the director or head of the organization “was too busy” to participate in the program, giving me the impression that he/she felt that the program had nothing to offer him/her. Obviously, from the position the director was in, he/she felt already knew pretty much all he/she needed to know. With Arun, it was completely different. He was not “self-satisfied,” believing he had all the answers. He actively sought a deeper understanding of himself and others. He showed me that he was a true seeker of truth, a rare human quality.

Those who want to pigeon-hole Arun under the label of anti-Semitic or bigot may find the following story particularly revealing.

In a discussion with Arun about “labels,” I mentioned to Arun that in my workshops I discouraged the use of the word/label “racist.” Though I acknowledge that racism exists, to label an individual as “racist” seemed to me to be yet another way people could reduce a person – minimizing their whole humanity so that the only thing people see when they encounter the person is the label. Arun’s answer gave me much pause. (Paraphrased) he said, “No, you must not call another person a racist. That would be wrong. But, I call myself a racist, because until I acknowledge this limitation in myself, I cannot address it. I cannot work to obliterate it if I deny that reality in myself, my thoughts and actions. We must not label others as “racist.” That is not for us to do. What each of us must do is to acknowledge racism in ourselves. Only then can we begin to understand the devastation and pain that prejudice, hate, and fear cause.”

I do another workshop dealing with age issues. Part of my workshop deals with the question of whether it is realistic or unrealistic, right or wrong, fair or unfair to expect individuals of various generations to fulfill the expectations of other generations. The African American Hip Hop generation and the African American Civil Rights generation may have difficulty finding a common ground, as each has come from such a separate set of historic and cultural circumstances. The very socially conscious standards by which young, politically correct America lives are rooted in a history we don’t quite understand – because we have not lived through all of it. The same can be said of understanding cultures different from our own.

I know of an older white, not-well-educated gentleman who refers to African Americans as “colored.” He is visibly uncomfortable when his granddaughter brings home African American friends. Yet, he cannot say enough good things about his “colored” neighbor. They help each other out by shoveling each other’s sidewalks in the winter, and raking leaves in the autumn. Though the older white gentleman does not use the “politically correct” language of 2008, who would be so unkind as to call him a “racist” – throwing out his simple life with the trash? Can we learn nothing from our generation of elders, because we now have become so conscious and aware that we forget where we have come from, and where they have been?

The recently acclaimed movie “Crash” demonstrates such wisdom. Vignettes of various individuals expose their fears, biases, discriminatory behavior and sometimes outrageous affronts to human dignity. Seen through the lens of a single event, certain characters seem inhuman and cruel. Their humanity is brought to light however, when the lens is pulled back. Each individual is seen n the larger context of his or her whole life. With the “wider lens” the cruel and ignorant are shown to be compassionate and courageous. Likewise the conscious and educated are unveiled to have moments of scathing viciousness, oblivious unconcern, mercilessness, fear, and rage.

Arun Gandhi’s message is his whole life – not a momentary ill phrased sentiment born out of frustration at the continued violence between peoples.

So the “saint” has fallen from the pedestal he was unwillingly placed on in the first place. So he is, after all, human like the rest of us.

The only difference I see, he admits it.

If only those who profess such shock, disappointment, condemnation – could become self aware enough to recognize and admit freely, openly honestly their own human frailties, perhaps then the world would be well on its way towards developing what Arun has devoted his entire life, energy and resources to – a culture of peace.

Precisely because he has led such an exemplary life, Arun is more apt to be the target of our projections – We tell ourselves . . . “repressed biases, fears, hatred and anger are not in ME, but in HIM.” As anyone who has ever studied basic psychology knows, the stronger the reaction, the more likely the rejected characteristic or sentiment resides in the critic.

The war of words and impassioned protests reveal much pain. The pain was there before Arun wrote his blog, and was ready to explode at the slightest provocation. Perhaps in the quest to admit our angers, fears, and biases, we can also admit our pain, which may be the most painful of all. For to admit pain is to admit vulnerability, weakness, frailty, humanity, need . . . need for each other, for closeness, for healing, and for love. We don’t want to be separate form one another. Maybe we just don’t know how to be close.

Perhaps, in this way, this odd and distressing episode has opened the door for discussion.
May I suggest that we start with a measure of humility and a moment of silence . . . appreciation for each other, for our elders, for our children, for our selves, and for Arun Gandhi. He continues, in his own quiet way to show us the way. Can we quiet the screaming in our minds long enough to really listen . . . to really see?

Free speech has become a confused topic in the internet age. Working things out through words was once a form of play – going back and forth – figuring out the puzzle of communication through dialogue and clarification. In terms of the journalism student in Afghanistan who has been sentenced to death for distributing an article that was considered an insult to the prophet Mohammed, it is especially tragic that those in positions of power quell their own demons by the slaughter of innocents. It is hard to believe that this kind of atrocity exists in this day and age – yet it exists in varying disguises everywhere we look. Of course – with the threat of violence and death – it is frightening to express any thought – any idea, for the ramifications have spiraled out of control and the realm or rationality. The current global atmosphere – whether in America or Afghanistan – is like an electronic age of McCarthism. No one feels safe.

Today, instead of healthy dialogue, a war of words ensues – and there are casualties. Arun Gandhi is a recent example.

Arun Gandhi has been speaking of and working towards peace and nonviolence for decades- and barely a ripple of outrage resulted concerning the violence he has condemned in all the societies and cultures and himself as well.

But in a moment of frustration with the continual violence he witnesses in the world, he made an ill-phrased commentary – a flurry of outraged, disappointed, rejecting emails and letters have found their way to the media.

Why this strong reaction – when his other words – decades of words and work towards peace and nonviolence, produced barely a murmur . . . ?

Unwittingly, Arun has provided a mirror for the rest of the world – in his one moment of a less than carefully crafted statement – a human response to a human tragedy, we see ourselves. Laid bare – our greatest fear –repressed, denied, hidden from our own conscious awareness – is that if Arun is not so perfect, perhaps WE are not so accepting, so inclusive, so good, so fair and just.

Arun has shown us our selves. We reject that part which we perceive as ugly, foreign, alien . . . human.

So Arun is human too, but now, those who harbor secret, unconscious, unacknowledged biases in their own hearts can gleefully, triumphantly point and condemn.

But there is a difference. Arun, in his humble, quiet way, seeks only peace and understanding between all peoples. He seeks only to understand and become aware of his own human limitations and frailties.

It is not enough, his critics shout. His humility, resignation, apologies, grief are not enough to quell the anger, hurt, disappointment, rage, fury that has risen to the surface. I ask . . . have you looked into your own heart? Could anyone who has taken the journey Arun has? Losing his beloved grandfather to an assassin’s bullet; watching his father and mother imprisoned for years in South African prisons as they worked for the end of apartheid; bullied and beat up growing up in South Africa because he was “too white for the blacks” and “too black for the whites”; rising above adversity and pain devoting his life to the promotion of peace, understanding, compassion and nonviolence; losing his dear wife just months ago to a long-term debilitating illness . . . Arun continues to work for the principles of nonviolence, peace, intercultural understanding, and love.

Years ago, I presented my diversity and nonviolence program to the Gandhi Institute. I was quite impressed by Arun’s willingness to learn, to grow, and receive by program . . . After all, he had spent his life studying nonviolence and had known people from around the world. But – he was not satisfied – he was open and utterly humble.
This was not the experience I had had with a number of other agencies and organizations where I had been invited to present my program. Usually the director or head of the organization “was too busy” to participate in the program, giving me the impression that he/she felt that the program had nothing to offer him/her. Obviously, from the position the director was in, he/she felt already knew pretty much all he/she needed to know. With Arun, it was completely different. He was not “self-satisfied,” believing he had all the answers. He actively sought a deeper understanding of himself and others. He showed me that he was a true seeker of truth, a rare human quality.

Those who want to pigeon-hole Arun under the label of anti-Semitic or bigot may find the following story particularly revealing.

In a discussion with Arun about “labels,” I mentioned to Arun that in my workshops I discouraged the use of the word/label “racist.” Though I acknowledge that racism exists, to label an individual as “racist” seemed to me to be yet another way people could reduce a person – minimizing their whole humanity so that the only thing people see when they encounter the person is the label. Arun’s answer gave me much pause. (Paraphrased) he said, “No, you must not call another person a racist. That would be wrong. But, I call myself a racist, because until I acknowledge this limitation in myself, I cannot address it. I cannot work to obliterate it if I deny that reality in myself, my thoughts and actions. We must not label others as “racist.” That is not for us to do. What each of us must do is to acknowledge racism in ourselves. Only then can we begin to understand the devastation and pain that prejudice, hate, and fear cause.”

I do another workshop dealing with age issues. Part of my workshop deals with the question of whether it is realistic or unrealistic, right or wrong, fair or unfair to expect individuals of various generations to fulfill the expectations of other generations. The African American Hip Hop generation and the African American Civil Rights generation may have difficulty finding a common ground, as each has come from such a separate set of historic and cultural circumstances. The very socially conscious standards by which young, politically correct America lives are rooted in a history we don’t quite understand – because we have not lived through all of it. The same can be said of understanding cultures different from our own.

I know of an older white, not-well-educated gentleman who refers to African Americans as “colored.” He is visibly uncomfortable when his granddaughter brings home African American friends. Yet, he cannot say enough good things about his “colored” neighbor. They help each other out by shoveling each other’s sidewalks in the winter, and raking leaves in the autumn. Though the older white gentleman does not use the “politically correct” language of 2008, who would be so unkind as to call him a “racist” – throwing out his simple life with the trash? Can we learn nothing from our generation of elders, because we now have become so conscious and aware that we forget where we have come from, and where they have been?

The recently acclaimed movie “Crash” demonstrates such wisdom. Vignettes of various individuals expose their fears, biases, discriminatory behavior and sometimes outrageous affronts to human dignity. Seen through the lens of a single event, certain characters seem inhuman and cruel. Their humanity is brought to light however, when the lens is pulled back. Each individual is seen n the larger context of his or her whole life. With the “wider lens” the cruel and ignorant are shown to be compassionate and courageous. Likewise the conscious and educated are unveiled to have moments of scathing viciousness, oblivious unconcern, mercilessness, fear, and rage.

Arun Gandhi’s message is his whole life – not a momentary ill phrased sentiment born out of frustration at the continued violence between peoples.

So the “saint” has fallen from the pedestal he was unwillingly placed on in the first place. So he is, after all, human like the rest of us.

The only difference I see, he admits it.

If only those who profess such shock, disappointment, condemnation – could become self aware enough to recognize and admit freely, openly honestly their own human frailties, perhaps then the world would be well on its way towards developing what Arun has devoted his entire life, energy and resources to – a culture of peace.

Precisely because he has led such an exemplary life, Arun is more apt to be the target of our projections – We tell ourselves . . . “repressed biases, fears, hatred and anger are not in ME, but in HIM.” As anyone who has ever studied basic psychology knows, the stronger the reaction, the more likely the rejected characteristic or sentiment resides in the critic.

The war of words and impassioned protests reveal much pain. The pain was there before Arun wrote his blog, and was ready to explode at the slightest provocation. Perhaps in the quest to admit our angers, fears, and biases, we can also admit our pain, which may be the most painful of all. For to admit pain is to admit vulnerability, weakness, frailty, humanity, need . . . need for each other, for closeness, for healing, and for love. We don’t want to be separate form one another. Maybe we just don’t know how to be close.

Perhaps, in this way, this odd and distressing episode has opened the door for discussion.
May I suggest that we start with a measure of humility and a moment of silence . . . appreciation for each other, for our elders, for our children, for our selves, and for Arun Gandhi. He continues, in his own quiet way to show us the way. Can we quiet the screaming in our minds long enough to really listen . . . to really see?

I wonder what Arun Gandhi thinks of what has happened in cyberspace Malaysia recently-

"Some disturbing content has recently been discovered in a video posting by two Malaysian Muslim bloggers, Mahaguru58 and MENJ.

While discussing the recent controversy over the issue of corpse snatching by Islamic authorities, these two Islamists go into a little diatribe trivializing the agony and stress that family members face at the hands of the menacing Shariah authorities.

If that weren't bad enough, Mahaguru58 then ominously suggests the following at time 12:50 on the video, with regard to how non-Muslims can prevent themselves from being buried as Muslims.......and I quote:

"Those who feel very strongly about it, this is going to offend some people I don't give a damn, they should have it tattooed on their chest like what Adolf Hitler did, you know, this is a Jew right?, and they had tattoos. So those who are now so adamant on not wanting to be buried as a Muslim, or whatever, for whatever reason, they should have it tattooed on their chest."

At time 14:00 on the video, Mahaguru58 reaffirms with the following, and I quote:

"I think they should tattoo it on their chest or forehead 'I am a kafir'."

http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/2102/46/

Mr. Arun Gandhi

Thank you for your essay.

The tyranny, the thoughtlessness, the injustice and the intolerance of Muslim governments from Algeria to Egypt to Saudi Arabia to Pakistan are worse and gives grist for the rise of maniacs on the fringes to worsen the repressiveness and intolerance of free speech in the Muslim world.

I don't think Muslims take to passive resistance and turning the other cheek too well. It is in the Qur'an to fight injustice and oppression whenever one finds them for a just and equitable world. Unfortunately, to date, it is mostly in armed conflicts as their respective governments don't tolerate free speech against their own regimes and for people question their own corrupt, repressive, ineffective and unjust governance.

Thank you and best regards

"J"

I almost got in trouble agreeing with you the last time. We must guard against the wrath of jihad as well as...