Role model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Role model - Essay Example He became well-known for his non-violent resistance to reach his political and social goals to win independence for India. His belief of nonviolence influenced other civil rights movement leaders, such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Gandhi’s influence can still be found through peace organizations that have been created throughout the world. His personal world view is still having a huge impact on today’s modern world. Mahatma Gandhis belief of nonviolence, which he called satyagraha, has often been mistranslated as "passive resistance," but it literally means "holding to the truth† (Gersom, 1992). Nonviolence does not mean just being passive instead of aggressive, but also means to ‘gain freedom peacefully’. Gandhi’s teachings can be correctly applied into the lives of people today in all walks of life. Gandhi’s teachings can become powerful only when every person is using them. "Nonviolence is the greatest force humanity has been endowed with," Gandhi wrote to the Fellowship of Reconciliation in 1926 (Dear, 2006). Gandhi’s beliefs about nonviolence are that it can be used as a weapon itself when trying to win peace. Using nonviolence instead of violence is not always an easy path. Sometimes people become too angry and cannot control their violent actions or words. However, nonviolence can offer an amazing power to fight with, as opposed to the weapons of t he enemies, which are far weaker than nonviolence. Part of Gandhi’s teachings was that violence is always more suitable than cowardice. Gandhi first used satyagraha in September 1906 with a gathering of three thousand Indians. Gandhi stated that they needed to protest calmly and without anger; they needed to suffer with the consequences of their protest instead of turning to violence. In the end, however, the British government arrested the protestors (Duvall, 2006). This act of Gandhi and his