Gandhi’s ‘racist’ words lead to removal of statue in Ghana
A statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the famed Indian independence leader, has been removed from a university campus in Ghana’s capital, Accra. University of Ghana lecturers began a petition for its removal shortly after it was unveiled in 2016 by India’s former President Pranab Mukherjee. The petition said Gandhi was “racist” and African heroes should be put first. [The petition to remove the statue from the University of Ghana in Accra used his early writings during his two decades as a lawyer on the continent to give weight to critics’ argument.] In the wake of the row, Ghana’s government at the time said the statue would be relocated. Lecturers and students told the BBC that the statue, originally located at the university’s recreational quadrangle, had been removed on Wednesday, December 12. The university confirmed this, saying that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration was responsible. Law student Nana Adoma Asare Adei told the BBC: “Having his statue means that we stand for everything he stands for and if he stands for these things [his alleged racism], I don’t think we should have his statue on campus.” Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most celebrated figures of the 20th Century. He is best known for leading non-violent resistance to British colonial rule in India. However, as a young man he lived and worked in South Africa, and although he has inspired people throughout the world his comments on black South Africans have been controversial. [While living in South Africa, Gandhi referred to the ｃountry’s black population as “Kaffirs,” a racial slur, and said Indians were “infinately superior.” The word “Kaffir” is deemed so offensive that it is rarely uttered aloud or published, the Washington Post said.] [The petition cited other protests against tributes to historical figures at universities around the world. Protests against Gandhi have occurred in Davis, Calif., where a similar statue met opposition, and in London, where plans to honor Gandhi also faced criticism.
Article Source: https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/daily-news-article/world-1-gandhis-racist-words-lead-to-removal-of-statue-in-ghana/
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VOCABULARY WORDS:
1.Racist/ noun : a person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or who believes that a particular race is superior to another.
2.Statue /noun : a carved or cast figure of a person or animal, especially one that is life-size or larger.
3.Lecturer/ noun : a person who gives lectures, especially as a profession.
4.Responsible/ adjective : having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role.
5.Controversial /adjective : giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. For GHANA, give the following information:
- capital
- location/the ｃountries that share its borders
- the religious breakdown of the population
- the type of government
- the chief of state (and head of government if different) If monarch or dictator, since what date has he/she ruled? – include name of heir apparent for monarch
- the population
2. For GHANA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) For what reason was the statue removed? Be specific.
c) What type of statues did the petitioners say should be put in Ghandi’s place?
d) Why was Ghandi famous? – Do you think the university did the right thing to remove the statue? Explain your answer.
