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But to say society didn't look fondly on them is accurate. Each was a controversial figure in his time, and each was assassinated or executed. Only after they'v

by branden 17y ago

But to say society didn't look fondly on them is accurate. Each was a controversial figure in his time, and each was assassinated or executed. Only after they've died have they been accepted as heroes.

bokonist 17y ago
Which society? The left loved both Ghandi and MLK. The right not so much. The left ended up winning and wrote the history, so now everyone views them as heroes. In Ghandhi's case at least, I think the right was right ( read http://history.eserver.org/ghandi-nobody-knows.txt http://history.eserver.org/ghandi-nobody-knows.txt or http://www.amazon.com/Thy-Hand-Great-Anarch-1921-1952/dp/020115577X http://www.amazon.com/Thy-Hand-Great-Anarch-1921-1952/dp/020... )
- TomOfTTB 17y ago
  I don't think it's a right/left issue. MLK for example was a Republican who even endorsed Richard Nixon (though in fairness he died before Nixon ever actually took office and his opinion might have changed significanlty after seeing that) I don't think this was a political issue. I think MLK fought against a very dedicated group of racists but I think institutional racism was something the majority of people were against in MLK's time. Both on the Right and On the Left. The sad truth about society is that evil does appear to win when good men do nothing and I think that's why people have a mis-shapen view of the majority opinion back then. As for Ghandi he was an extreme leftist. He gave this advice to Britain during WWII... I want you to lay down the arms you have as being useless for saving you or humanity. You will invite Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to take what they want of the countries you call your possessions. Let them take possession of your beautiful island with your many beautiful buildings... If these gentlemen choose to occupy your homes, you will vacate them. If they do not give you free passage out, you will allow yourself, man, woman and child to be slaughtered To me that's left of even the most extreme leftist in the modern day political arena.
  - bokonist 17y ago
    I said left-right, not Republican-Democrat. Left versus right hasn't always matched up with party politics. The Dixiecrats were basically still on the right before 1970. Leaders and institutions on the right - Buckley, Goldwater, the John Birch Society - were originally against the civil rights movement. Many have since changed their mind, some have not. Ghandi was indeed an extreme leftist. He is held up by the modern left as a man of vision and ideals, even if they do not agree with all of his positions 100%.

by branden 17y ago

bokonist 17y ago

Which society? The left loved both Ghandi and MLK. The right not so much. The left ended up winning and wrote the history, so now everyone views them as heroes. In Ghandhi's case at least, I think the right was right ( read http://history.eserver.org/ghandi-nobody-knows.txt http://history.eserver.org/ghandi-nobody-knows.txt or http://www.amazon.com/Thy-Hand-Great-Anarch-1921-1952/dp/020115577X http://www.amazon.com/Thy-Hand-Great-Anarch-1921-1952/dp/020... )

TomOfTTB 17y ago
I don't think it's a right/left issue. MLK for example was a Republican who even endorsed Richard Nixon (though in fairness he died before Nixon ever actually took office and his opinion might have changed significanlty after seeing that) I don't think this was a political issue. I think MLK fought against a very dedicated group of racists but I think institutional racism was something the majority of people were against in MLK's time. Both on the Right and On the Left. The sad truth about society is that evil does appear to win when good men do nothing and I think that's why people have a mis-shapen view of the majority opinion back then. As for Ghandi he was an extreme leftist. He gave this advice to Britain during WWII... I want you to lay down the arms you have as being useless for saving you or humanity. You will invite Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to take what they want of the countries you call your possessions. Let them take possession of your beautiful island with your many beautiful buildings... If these gentlemen choose to occupy your homes, you will vacate them. If they do not give you free passage out, you will allow yourself, man, woman and child to be slaughtered To me that's left of even the most extreme leftist in the modern day political arena.
- bokonist 17y ago
  I said left-right, not Republican-Democrat. Left versus right hasn't always matched up with party politics. The Dixiecrats were basically still on the right before 1970. Leaders and institutions on the right - Buckley, Goldwater, the John Birch Society - were originally against the civil rights movement. Many have since changed their mind, some have not. Ghandi was indeed an extreme leftist. He is held up by the modern left as a man of vision and ideals, even if they do not agree with all of his positions 100%.