Hipster Gandhi

The most encompassing description #hipster that I found (most definitions of a hipster pertain only to trends and fashion, which, in my opinion is quite wanting) was that a hipster is someone that’s eager to learn, to see—and yes—even to do. Being a hipster means you’re part of a subculture. As a demographic, hipsters try to set themselves apart from culture as a whole, while simultaneously remaining within the culture. Thank you Adam <3

Gandhi was a hipster.

• Independent thinker – Check
• Progressive politician – Check
• Creative problem solver – Check
• Entrepreneurial attitude – Check
• Fashion trendsetter – Errmm
• Big fat handle-bar moustache – Check Check CHECK!

History will say he had many faults. History will also bow down to his principles of non violent resistance and religious pluralism. I don’t think it will harm us in the least if we take a dose of the #Mahatma (greatness) today, on his 150th birthday.

The state of the world we are in today would be completely contrary to his vision of non-violence. People are so angry. Everywhere. We are so quick to draw a conclusion and form an opinion. Then berate anyone who doesn’t share our views. Can’t we not just stop for a second? Just breathe? And LISTEN? “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Can’t we focus on the ‘gentle’ and not amplify the ‘shake’?

I leave you with a quote – and not from Gandhi! It was quoted by Dame Helen Mirren, who in turn was quoting Catherine the Great on last week’s Sunday Politics on the BBC.

“I like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.” 

Maybe that’s a start?