Mahatma Gandhi is widely celebrated as a global icon of peace, non-violence, and civil rights. However, his early writings and actions during his time in South Africa (1893-1914) tell a different story—one of racial prejudice and segregationist beliefs that have largely been glossed over by history.
For many, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi was an inspiration in the fight for civil rights. But King’s admiration, like my own early views of Gandhi, was rooted in an incomplete understanding of his legacy. It wasn’t until my university professor revealed Gandhi’s shocking words and actions that my perception of him changed forever.
Gandhi’s Early Racism in South Africa
Gandhi’s time as a lawyer in South Africa is well-documented, and so are his offensive views toward Black Africans during that period. Far from being a champion of equality, Gandhi actively perpetuated harmful stereotypes and fought for racial hierarchies that placed Indians above Africans.
Racist Language and Stereotypes
Gandhi frequently referred to Black Africans using the derogatory slur “Kaffir,” a term deeply rooted in racism. In his writings, he made disparaging comparisons between Indians and Africans, perpetuating harmful stereotypes:•In 1904, he wrote against the “mixing of Kaffirs with Indians,” calling for strict racial segregation.
•He described Africans as indulging in “war-dances” and drinking “Kaffir beer,” as though these traits made them less “civilized.”
•He once stated that Indians were “a little better, if at all, than savages or the Natives of Africa.”
Advocating for Racial Hierarchy
Gandhi’s advocacy in South Africa often revolved around distinguishing Indians from Black Africans. He promoted the idea of an “Aryan brotherhood,” a concept that placed whites and Indians above Africans on a so-called scale of civilization. He actively argued for Indian rights, but only by seeking to position Indians as superior to Africans.
Calls for Segregation
In multiple instances, Gandhi pushed for the physical separation of Indians and Africans:
•In 1904, he petitioned Johannesburg health officials to “withdraw Kaffirs” from areas where Indians lived.
•During a plague outbreak in Durban, he objected to Indians and Africans being treated together in hospitals, viewing the arrangement as an affront to Indians’ dignity.
The Relevance Today: A Reckoning with Racism
While some argue that Gandhi’s views evolved later in life, his early actions and words cannot be ignored. They form part of a broader pattern of racism that resonates painfully with present-day experiences. The ongoing debates around H1-B visas and the rise of racism against Indians in the United States highlight an uncomfortable truth: many communities, including Indians, have perpetuated prejudices while also being targets of discrimination.
Today, videos on TikTok and social media reflect rising tensions between African Americans and Indians, exposing an undercurrent of mutual distrust. Some Black Americans have called out Indians for their treatment of Black people, referencing Gandhi’s racism as historical evidence of deep-seated prejudice.
Meanwhile, figures like Vivek Ramaswamy face backlash for policies and rhetoric that some perceive as dismissive of Black struggles
Learning from the Past
Acknowledging Gandhi’s racist legacy is not about erasing his contributions to non-violence or independence movements but about painting a complete picture of his life. By understanding these truths, we can challenge the cycle of prejudice and create a future where all communities confront their biases and work toward genuine equality.The conversation about Gandhi’s racism is long overdue, and it’s time for the world to see him for who he truly was—a flawed man whose legacy is far more complicated than the myth of the Mahatma.
