#2 - Finding the Purpose

When I was still in school, I took part in a special elective called “Reacting to the Past.” In this unique course we took on the roles of historic figures and recreated past events. We transported ourselves to 1947, to simulate how India a left the British Empire. In the space of a single month, each became an important individual from the Indian partition of 1947 to 1948.

I was given the role “Indian Communist Party Leader.” I selected a new persona, took the fictional name Krishnam Raju, (named after an Indian actor) and I started to pretend. Within the simulation Krishnam Raju was Joined by a potential ally, Jawaharlal Nehru. Krishnam Raju also made new enemies in the British Viceroy and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam was a relic, a prince who had no place in the modern world. He merely lingered with his prestige and armies. As a student, he was my peer. As a communist, I hated him.

The role-playing proceeded for several days. My speech and behavior changed. Krishnam. Raju accused the British empire of gross incompetence, of amorality for causing the Bengal famine. Krishnam Raju rallied the local farmers and decried the growth of cash crops. We the communists, demanded educational reform from whoever would listen. Raju was passionate and vocal but unable to make friends. Plans for a future Indian Constitution made no mention of economic rights for Indians, only religious tolerance. Progress was slow, and the politicians were unable to support the farmers, who had been eternally oppressed by Gods and Kings.

Opportunities and enemies for the the communists appeared. The viceroy silenced Krishnam Raju numerous times. While The socialists, the poor farmers, and Sikhs wondered how my positions might benefit them. Meanwhile, the Nizam smiled at me. As if to say, “I have all the political clout you wish for.” He didn't even need to do anything to get it. The Nizam sat in Hyderabad, central India. He waited for the Constitutionalists to come find him. To ask for his blessing for a future government.

One day, Krishnam. Raju got tired of waiting. Raju rallied to local farmers into rebellion. We took arms against the Nizam and succeeded in holding partial control of the various principalities within India. The constitutional supporters were shocked. They had never listened before. No progress was being made for the oppressed in India. We took action! We seized the day. The Soviets provided weapons to rebel farmers. We dealt a blow to the Nizam of Hyderabad. Rioting in the streets and battling the royal military.

On the same day, the Muslim league called for a “day of action,” inciting religious protests. The Nizam begged the British army to intervene. Local farms were abandoned as people fled to safety or to the rebellion. India's "untouchable" class rebelled and converted en masse from native Hinduism to Buddhism. India fell into chaos.

Then Gandhi arrived.

Two students portrayed different disciples of Gandhi. Jointly, they informed us, that the most beloved man in India was taking a hunger strike. Gandhi pledged not to eat until all the fighting across India ceased. The distracted and broken India watched. On that day he lived.

Krishnam Raju looked at India's chaos - at what accomplishments could be hoped for. The Nizam could not hold his territory without British support. The Rebels could break it away from the governments. We could form an Indian commune. The Nizam could be deposed and killed. Those poor farmers would no longer be forced to grow cash crops for foreign powers. Tragedies like the Bengal famine, caused by the imperial greed, would end. The Farmers could take control of their destiny, if only Raju had time to see it pass. But, the farmers who supported Krishnam Raju loved Gandhi. The same rebels who pledged to die for communism would never want Gandhi to die for their violent deeds.

What should have been given was an ultimatum. To let another day pass, another die be cast, show the ticking clock of Gandhi's life. Krishnam Raju should have gone to the end to secure promises from the English. Promises that they would leave India forever. Promises from the Muslim league that a religious government would hurt all citizens. We should have told the Indian National conference, that its constitution didn't give the people their own destiny.

Perhaps Krishnam Raju would have succeeded in bringing communism to India, or at least socialism, if Gandhi lived, if the Nizam were killed. If I had been a communist. But, I was not Krishnam Raju, not a communist. I was a Jacob a student. I could never be the man who killed Gandhi – I could never betray the faith of the people who loved him and fought with me. I demanded justice for the poor, and I wanted life for the most beloved man in India. I could not take that risk, and sacrifice Gandhi, although Krishnam Raju would.

I capitulated and let the glorious uprising fall. The Nizam brushed me aside easily when I ordered the rebels to lay down their arms and protest peacefully. Those who sacrificed everything for me did so for nothing. The chaos ended, the violence ceased, and Gandhi lived. For the rest of the game, I was an outcast. Nothing I said mattered anymore, and I shamefully retired from politics. It was a failure of the simulation of events. It failed because I stopped role-playing. The decision to drop my violent rebellion was Jacob's decision, not the decision of my communist character.

If this were a movie, my mistake would have be a do over, because the actor and not the character was caught on film. The director shouts, “Cut! – take two.” Real life and role-playing does not allow take backs. The role of Kirshnam Raju, (the communist not the actor) was more real than a movie. I was a poor representative, because I had lost Krishnam's purpose. As a role-player we each adopt a purpose. Often it is something unfamiliar to us; not our ever day experience. I would have liked to have kept that purpose and see my goals, Kirshnam's goals, materialize by our will. But I will have to wait until the next game where I can try again.

My name is Jacob Borgmann. Role-playing is an exercise in finding another person's purpose. In your games I implore you to find and hold onto not your purpose, but that that of your character. This is the essence of role-playing. Lets go make that happen.