The century of civil rights

Three figures we can discuss that embodied this theme are; Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Ghandi, although born in the 19th century fought to have what he believed was rightly his. He lived by 2 thoughts; Satyagraha and Ahimsa.

Can anyone tell me what these 2 words mean?

Kay raised her hand. "Satyagraha is a Sanskrit word that has been translated as meaning "civil disobedience", "passive resistance", "truth force", or "the willingness to endure great personal suffering in order to do what's right." The term has also been translated as "non-violent protest." Ahimsa is a religious concept which advocates non-violence and a respect for all life. The word ahisma is a Sanskrit word for avoidance of injury, and is interpreted most often as meaning peace and reverence toward all sentient beings."

Jen raised her hand. "Ahimsa is the Hindu belief of truth, and Satyagraha is the belief of non-violence. Both these words come from Sanskrit. Ghandi put both of these beliefs into practice in his fight for Indian independence from British rule.

Nadia raised her hand, "Satyagraha (Sanskrit for 'truth + grasp/hold') is the philosophy of nonviolent resistance most famously employed by Mohandas Gandhi in forcing an end to the British Raj and also against apartheid in South Africa. The three parts of satyagraha are, 1) Satya - truth; implying openness, honesty, and fairness. 2) Ahimsa - refusal to inflict injury upon others. 3) Tapasya - willingness for self-sacrifice.

"Ahimsa, as part of Satyagraha, is the core of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. In Jainism, the ahimsa-vrata, or vow of ahimsa, is the first of the five mahavratas, or great vows. The ethical code of Jainism is summarized in the Five Vows, non-injury (ahimsa) is the first one.

"In the words of Ghandi himself: Literally speaking, ahimsa means non-violence towards most life. But to me it has much higher, infinitely higher meaning. It means that you may not offend anybody; you may not harbor uncharitable thought, even in connection with those who consider your enemies. To one who follows this doctrine, there are no enemies. A man who believes in the efficacy of this doctrine finds in the ultimate stage, when he is about to reach the goal, the whole world at his feet. If you express your love—ahimsa—in such a manner that it impresses itself indelibly upon your so-called enemy, he must return that love. This doctrine tells us that we may guard the honor of those under our charge by delivering our own lives into the hands of the man who would commit the sacrilege. And that requires far greater courage than delivering of blows."

Sangeetha raised her hand.

'Satyagraha mean "Civil Disobedience". This movement was followed by Gandhi when the British had taken over India. This was when Gandhiji demanded for "Purna Swaraj" which mean "Complete Independance." "Ahimsa" means non-violence."

She looked at Nadia. "But "Tapasya" actually does not mean "willingness for self sacrifice. It means penance. These words come from a mixture of Sanskrit and Hindi."

Sangeetha prided herself for being an Indian. She had grown up learning all of this.

Ginny's hand rose into the air.

The meaning of the word "Satyagraha" is "Civil Disobedience". Ghandi undertook this movement when India was taken over by Britain. "Purna Swaraj" ("Complete Indepence") was a demand made by Ghandi. "Non Violence" is "Ahimsa".

Patrick listen to the class answer all at once. Since they had already response he remained quiet and took a few notes.

"Ouch, is that so?" she asked, reaching for her head sheepeishly and with the other holding her book. "I took it from books, so you probably are right." (ooc: Aka, took it fom wikipedia )

Noel wrote a few things down, muggle studies didn't particularly interest her, all those years of muggle school were enough.

Very good students, 10 points to Ravenclaw demented_death_eater.

Satyagraha can most easily be translated into - holding firmly onto the deepest truth and soul-force. Ahimsa - the love that remains when all thoughts of violence are dispelled. By believing in these 2 ideas, Ghandi believed that "Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind," he said. "It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man." and "We must become the change we seek."
In 1930 what did Ghandi do to make a change?

Nadia raised her hand, "he launched a new satyagraha against the tax on salt, highlighted by the famous Salt March to Dandi from March 21 to April 6, 1930, marching 400 kilometres (248 miles) from Ahmedabad to Dandi to make his own salt. Thousands of Indians joined him on this march to the sea. This campaign was one of his most successful, resulting in the imprisonment of over 60,000 people. The government, represented by Lord Irwin, decided to negotiate with Gandhi."

Bending low over her notes Heshasa listened intenly scribbling down all of the answers as fast as she could.

Jen glanced at her notes, then raised her hand.

"Gandhi embarked on the Salt March, an event that would symbolize his dream of freeing India from British colonialism. Armed with only a bamboo staff and accompanied by a few of his followers, Gandhi and Co left his ashra, on the banks of the Sabarmati river on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on March 12, 1930, breaking British salt laws 3 weeks later at the seaside hamlet of Dandi. On the morning of April 6th, he picked up a handful of saline mud that had to be cleaned during the day to extract the small quantity of salt that was auctioned for the benefit of the national cause that evening, and a mass movement was born.

Gandhi chose salt as a symbol of the struggle, instead of bringing his movement and demonstrations to the center of power because salt, the only mineral substance consumed by humans, was heavily taxed by the British for over 40 years, and for ages nationalist leaders including Gandhi, had been protesting against the tax.

He knew a focus on the salt laws would be easy to understand, and his people could easily to this issue. He knew the mind of his people, and the issue would be a non-elitist one. Everyone from the humblest peasant upwards could easily break the law by manufacturing salt, by selling it, or giving it away."

"Professor, I remember reading, that this year, 2005, marks the 75th Anniversary of the Salt March. To celebrate the Ghandi Foundation is organizing a "International Walk for Peace, Justice, and Freedom". They will retrace the steps of the Salt March of 1930. They plan to follow his foot steps 241 miles in 25 days," Patrick offered. "I wanted to add it to what others had already offered."

"hmmm" Violet thinking...

-emi sat there, suddenly forgetting everything she had ever learned about muggles in her past- oh i feel dumb...

STILL THINKING!! "hmm did I learn these things?? muggles muggles muggles...." violet mutters.

Adz sighed. She didn't know much on this subject. However, she decided to say what she knew, and just hope that it made sense...

"Um...In March 1930, he launched a new satyagraha against the tax on salt, highlighted by the famous Salt March to Dandi from....was it....March 21 to April 6 1930... marching||" Adz paused for a brief second to make sure that this was correct "400 kilometres - um....that's....248 miles from Ahmedabad to Dandi, Gujarat to make his own salt. Thousands of Indians joined him on this march to the sea. This campaign was one of his most successful, resulting in the imprisonment of over 60,000 people. The government, represented by Lord Irwin, decided to negotiate with Gandhi." Adz stopped and thought back over what she had just said. "Um...i hope that made sense..."

Kristal was taking notes vigourusly. She wasn't sure of the answer, so she decided to take the next one.

:Kelli listened to Nadia, and jotted some things down on her parchment:

Violet also listened to Nadia and Adz and started taking notes.

Sangeetha was about to answer when Nadia beat her to it. Actually in the Muggle World, people would do ANYTHING to get away from Indian history. Especially herself. But when studying here, she found it much more fun.

Kay listened attentively to each of the answers that were given and decided to add her answer to the mix. She raised her hand and began to speak.
"In 1930, Gandhi proclaimed a new satyagraha, or campaign of civil disobedience, calling upon the Indian population to refuse to pay taxes, particularly the tax on salt. The campaign included a march to the sea, in which thousands of Indians followed Gandhi from Ahmadabad to the Arabian Sea, where they made their own salt by evaporating sea water. This campaign was one of his most successful, and resulted in the imprisonment of over 60,000 people, including himself."

"Gandhi was released in 1931, and called an end to the campaign after the British made concessions to his demands. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in March 1931. In it, the British Government agreed to set all political prisoners free in return for the suspension of the civil disobedience movement. Furthermore, Gandhi was invited to attend the Round Table Conference in London as the sole representative of the Indian National Congress. The conference was a disappointment to Gandhi and the nationalists as it focused on the Indian princes and Indian minorities rather than the transfer of power."

In 1930 Ghandi marched 240 miles in 24 days to the sea to make his own salt in direct defiance of of the British colonial laws. BY the time he reached the sea, several thousand people had joined him and more than 60,000 were arrested by the british, including Ghandi. But he did it to prove that it was his right to use the ocean as well.

What words is Martin Luther King Jr. famous for?

Kay raised her hand. "He is famous for the words 'I Have a Dream'."