The fifth grandson of Mahatma Gandhi will be visiting Chattanooga in September to deliver messages and methods of nonviolence to the community.
Officials said Dr. Arun Gandhi's five-day visit will include stops at local public schools, as well as what is being called a social justice and cultural tour. Gandhi will also take part in the city's Connect the Dots Summit and the Tennessee Economic Council on Women.
Gandhi learned nonviolence from his legendary grandfather, as he himself struggled with how to deal with his own anger from growing up under the discriminatory apartheid laws in South Africa, according to his bio.
As an Indian, Gandhi and his family were often looked down upon by most Europeans for not being white, while also being ostracized by Africans for not being black. He and his family were often targets of racially motivated violence instigated by extremists in both groups.
Understanding violence first then learning how to transform opposition and oppression with love and compassion will be part of Gandhi's message for Chattanooga.
Gandhi, who has been a journalist at the India Times for three decades, travels the world on speaking engagements and is also a contributing writer with The Washington Post. Gandhi moved to the United States in 1987 and founded the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence in Memphis, Tenn.
His visit to Chattanooga will be Sept. 17-21 and is being sponsored by the Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts and Culture; The Chattanooga Public Library; the Baylor School; and District 6 City Councilwoman Carol Berz and District 8 County Commissioner Tim Boyd.
