Do globalnego Base wymagane jest konto, zatem kopiuję w całości post Karo tutaj:
.
Unraveling common misconceptions:
-
Gandhi is not a creator of this form of action. There is a long tradition of such actions dating back to ancient times in various cultures.
-
Gandhi preferred the word fasting. For him, it was a spiritual practice offered with love and care. Gandhi never fasted against, always towards somebody.
-
Fasting should be the last act of the satyagraha campaign (Gandhian civil disobedience). Not the first one nor the one in the middle - the final.
.
Unearthing recipe for fasting/hunger strike:
Fasting/hunger strike is an ultimate act of sacrifice. Therefore there are specific conditions that make it a true nonviolent action:
- the right person,
- towards people who understand the act of sacrifice and they care about the fasting person,
- a realistic reachable goal, concrete outcome (not abstract),
- a truly nonviolent campaign, an unquestionable context,
- the last resort - all other measures have been exhausted.
ad.1:
The fasting person has to be sure they are the right person to make such a sacrifice. They can’t be motivated by hatred to the opponent. They have to be ready to sacrifice their health and life.
- If we are not ready to die, we are not the right person.
- If we are a person of hate speech, we are not the right one.
- If we are not transparent and honest in our deeds, we are not the right person.
We don’t have to be the saint who doesn’t make mistakes. Gandhi made many mistakes. He was changing his mind all the time and he was admitting it. And we are talking about “casual virtues” we all should aim at.
ad.2:
We may embark on fasting only towards people who understand its valor and our expression of love. If they don’t understand our sacrifice, fasting is pointless.
ad.3:
Our goal has to be concrete and achievable. It can’t be abstract like peace on Earth etc. It has to be noble. For Gandhi, humiliating or threatening, blackmailing an opponent was a shame, a wicked purpose. Gandhi was very strict about it.
ad.4:
It has to be part of a truly nonviolent campaign. Fasting can’t be part of actions that involve verbal or physical aggression, lies, manipulations, plots - all violent acts would stain our sacrifice.
ad.5:
Fasting is the last resort when you have tried all other options and measures. We do not start our campaign with fasting, and we do not threaten with fasting.
.
Prime principle - If we are not ready to die, if we are thinking about stopping our hunger strike at some point, then we shouldn’t even begin.
Howqh.