In the downstairs section of Howard University’s Armour J. Blackburn University Center, there is a commissioned piece dedicated to the commemoration of Mohandas Ghandi and Martin Luther King. Gandhi is often celebrated as a pioneering champion in the non-violent struggle for freedom. His relevance to the African-American community emerged at a time when we were striving to better our conditions, leaving us open to revering the Indian freedom fighter as one of the many inspirations to our beloved ancestor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For those of us who challenge and face down racism daily, “be the change that you wish to see in the world” stands as a beacon of hope in the ever-oppressive atmosphere that smothers America.

        Unfortunately, Mohandas Gandhi was no change. In fact, he was merely a different color of racism that we had witnessed time and time again. People like Gandhi should not be celebrated, but condemned for their anti-Black racism. Please stand with the No Signal Natives and help us rid the Mecca of this hate-monger, as we believe that no form of racism is ever too small to be checked! We are demanding that Howard University's administration either

1. Invite an Indian ambassador back to the campus to address Gandhi's racist history, or

2. Remove the piece from the Blackburn area completely, and replace it with a memorial that celebrates true Black Power.

Remember that even white supremacy began as an idea. And it is up to us to make sure that neither racist ideas, nor the monsters who speak them continue to live on.

Below is a list of quotes from letters written by Mohandas Gandhi to the British empire regarding the condition of Black South Africans.

 Kaffirs Are Uncivilized Animals

July 3, 1907: “Kaffirs are as a rule uncivilized – the convicts even more so. They are troublesome, very dirty and live almost like animals. Each ward contains nearly 50 to 60 of them. They often started rows and fought among themselves. The reader can easily imagine the plight of the poor Indian thrown into such company!”

*Note: The word “Kaffir” is essentially the South African equivalent to the word “Nigger.”

Indians Dragged Down to the Kaffirs

Before Dec. 19, 1894: “A general belief seems to prevail in the Colony that the Indians are little better, if at all, than savages or the Natives of Africa. Even the children are taught to believe in that manner, with the result that the Indian is being dragged down to the position of a raw Kaffir.”

Indians ‘Infinitely Superior’ to the Kaffirs

Before May 27, 1899: “Your Petitioner has seen the Location intended to be used by the Indians. It would place them, who are undoubtedly infinitely superior to the Kaffirs, in close proximity to the latter.”

Kaffirs Pass Their Lives in ‘Indolence and Nakedness’

Sept. 26, 1896: “Ours is one continual struggle against a degradation sought to be inflicted upon us by the Europeans, who desire to degrade us to the level of the raw Kaffir whose occupation is hunting, and whose sole ambition is to collect a certain number of cattle to buy a wife with and, then, pass his life in indolence and nakedness.”

 For more information regarding the racism of Mohandas Gandhi, visit http://atlantablackstar.com/2015/03/31/not-all-peaceful-13-racist-quotes-gandhi-said-about-black-people/