Gandhi, King, and Marti: Brothers in Thought
Conference at Florida International University
University Park - The Graham Center
April 4, 2008 at FIU at 8pm at Graham Center 305 at FIU
| Invitation | Agenda | Gandhi&King
on Audio | Suggested Readings | Essay Contest | Contact |
An Invitation To Reflect
The FREE CUBA Foundation (FCF) at Florida
International University invited
all those persons interested in non-violence and the writings of Mahatma
Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jose Marti to attend the
conference held at the FIU campus on the 60th anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi's assassination on January 30, 2008 and now we are preparing a
final conference on April 3, 2008 on the eve of the 40th anniversary of
Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.
These conferences seek to convene a broad gathering that bridges
geographic, generational, and disciplinary boundaries. The organizing
committee is now in the process of crafting the program, which will
feature papers, and a round table on a wide array of topics
relevant to the writings and thoughts of Gandhi, King, and Marti.
The conference will seek to find the commonalities of Jose Marti's ,
Mahatma Gandhi's, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s writings.
If you wish to present a paper or participate at the April 3rd event then
please e-mail us at fcf@fiu.edu
The following is
a tentative program which will allow us to reflect on the sacrifices made
in the cause of freedom and the sacrifices yet to be made.
"An unjust law is itself a species of violence. Arrest for its breach is
more so. Now the law of non-violence says that violence should be
resisted not by counter-violence but by non-violence. ... This I do by
breaking the law and by peacefully submitting to arrest and imprisonment."
Mahatma Gandhi
"In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of
wrongful deeds. Let us not
seek our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and
hatred."
Martin Luther King Jr.
"There is no forgiveness for acts of hatred. Daggers thrust in the name of
liberty are thrust into
liberty's heart."
Jose Marti
Gandhi, King, and Marti: Brothers in Thought
Sixtieth
Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's Assassination
January
30, 1948 - 2008
Agenda
- A Force More Powerful: Episode One Mohandas Gandhi in India
- Announcing the Essay Contest
- Reflection on the 60th Anniversary of Gandhi's assassination
Listen to Gandhi and King in their own words
The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. gives a short address entitled
"The Spirit of Mahatma" on his visit to India on All India
Radio.
Edited by Rob Potter, 1995.
Listen
to Martin Luther King speak to India about Gandhi
In 1925. Gandhi had been released the previous year from a two-year
jail term. It was the height of the khadi (homespun cloth) movement. He
traveled throughout the country with his spinning wheel. If the recording
was made in 1925, he was also serving as President of the Indian National
Congress Party.
The title of this talk was "My
Spiritual Message." It is not known how or
by whom this recording was made. It is likely to have been pressed on a
78 rpm record in a studio. It could have been made as late as 1928, for
Gandhi is known to have spent April 1927 in Mysore.
Near the beginning of his address, Gandhi says:
In my tour last year in Mysore [State], I met many poor villagers, and I
found upon inquiry that they did not know who ruled Mysore. They simply
said some God ruled it. If the knowledge of these poor people was so
limited about their ruler, I, who am infinitely lesser in respect to God
than they to their ruler need not be surprised if I do not realize the
presence of God, the King of Kings. Nevertheless I do feel as the poor
villagers felt about Mysore, that there is orderliness in the
universe."
The Salt Satyagraha launched by Gandhi in 1930 called for complete
independence. Its focal point was tax free salt extraction in Dandi,
Gujarat.
"We were all coolies. I was an insignificant coolie
lawyer. All that time there were no coolie doctors, we had no coolie
lawyers. I was the first in the field. Nevertheless, a coolie."
(Gandhi 4/4/47)
January 30, 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of
Mahatma Gandhi, a man who lived and died for justice through the use of
non-violent resistance. Additionally, in the month of January we have the
births of two great men: Martin Luther King Jr. and Jose Marti. These men
had a profound impact on their nations, and in the world. All three died
violently, yet all three believed in the power of love to overcome hatred.
We are announcing this essay contest to encourage people to read these
thinkers, and to reflect on and analyze their writings. The essay must be
between 800 and 1000 words. Essays that are more than 1000 words will
not be accepted. The following are some topics and questions
you can chose from, but are not limited to. Essays must be based on the
writings of Gandhi, King, and Marti. All assertions made by the
contestant must be based on primary source materials attributed to all
three men.
What role does hate play in their writings and methods of struggle?
What are their concepts of freedom?
Why non-violence instead of violence?
Theoretical and practical applications of using non-violence
What are their concepts of race and racism?
How do they view the role of women?
Gandhi, King, Marti, and Faith
Socialism: How did Gandhi, King, and Marti view it?
Love vs Hate: Towards a New Dialogue
Hindu, Baptist, and Catholic: Universality of Truth?
