Does history tend to repeat itself? This past weekend, as I delved into Sydney Harris’s thought-provoking book Clearing the Ground, a particular passage caught my attention; it reads: “History repeats itself, but in such cunning disguise that we never detect the resemblance until the damage is done.”
Though such reflections may sometimes seem nebulous, this assertion compelled me to pause and reconsider our contemporary world. Are there recurring patterns that, in their subtle recurrence, elude our immediate notice?
As my mind traversed the vast terrain of human history, from technological leaps to political upheavals, from wars to struggles for self-determination, one theme emerged like a beacon — humanity’s perennial quest for autonomy and self-actualisation.
It led me to ponder societies still ensnared in oppression, sparking a virtual expedition into the depths of the internet in search of contemporary parallels.
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A digital breadcrumb trail led me to the Israel-Palestine conflict with a focus on Gaza, an enclave that the United Nations describes as an open-air prison. Yet, it wasn’t the conflict itself that seized my attention but a curious twist: the Hamas delegation’s unexpected visit to Moscow. Why Moscow and not the traditional seats of global power?
At that moment, a realisation dawned—history, relentless in its cycles, had begun a new iteration within a generation. In a world where life expectancy averages 71 years, living witnesses remain, their memories still vivid from the not-so-distant struggles against colonial rule.
Post-1955, a wave of independence swept through Africa, often buoyed by support from socialist and communist nations like Russia, China, Cuba, and North Korea.
Yet, astonishingly, it is 2024, and the once-colonised nations are entangled in a familiar narrative. From the continuation of neocolonial economic structures to energy resource plundering, echoes of the past resound in the present in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.
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Syria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, the Central African Republic and Palestine’s plea for Russian support to withstand occupation and invasion forces mirrors the historical cry for assistance against colonial forces.
This does not come at no condemnation and cost, however, as often reported by the Western media that those who call for help or alignment with the Eastern powers have been manipulated to do so and are subject to one form or another of undue influence from “bad Russian, Chinese or Iranian man,” a Hollywood style.
The heart-wrenching conflict in Gaza reveals an even more poignant repetition—a cycle where former oppressors, once brutal colonisers, now champion military campaigns, occupation, open genocide and even ethnic cleansing in the name of defending Western interest and “Israel’s right to defend itself.”
The irony is stark—those who endured oppression across Europe by the same colonisers are now perpetrators of it, but this time, unexpectedly in the Middle East. The disturbing truth unfolds: history is not just repeating; it’s mirroring itself with uncanny precision.
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The oppressed, in a twist of fate, like during the struggle for independence from the colonial chains, turn once again to the Eastern bloc for solace and support. However, the actors have changed.
In this contemporary theatre, the unlikely alliance includes Russia, Iran, China, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and others. But the picture is clear: all new actors are memories of socialism and communism, or simply the new leaders of frontiers and axis fighting against foreign domination and occupation of their land or nearby countries.
It is a peculiar symphony composed of geopolitical shifts, echoing the historical chorus of seeking refuge from the Eastern front. As the drama unfolds, the world witnesses an unsettling encore—one that challenges our perceptions of progress and justice.
The stage is set with unexpected players, and the question lingers: does this symphony strike a note of caution, urging us to unravel the intricate dance of history before its cunning repetition inflicts irreparable damage upon our shared humanity, or is it just an expected clash of civilisations?
Kennedy Mmari is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Serengeti Bytes, a Dar es Salaam-based communications, public relations and digital media agency. He’s available at kennedy@serengetibytes.com and on X as @KennedyMmari. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Chanzo. If you are interested in publishing in this space, please contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com.
One Response
It’s all about wealthy! Chinese have quickly managed to steal western intellectual property that led to their industrialisation though seem like china is on Eastern side but most economic interaction is intertwined with western world.so Chinese self actualisation has led to keep interacting with western powers economically to realize their economic potential.
Chinese have even avoided to directly provide military assistance to Russia on Ukraine conflict fearing of being sanctioned by western countries.
Western countries have created and enjoying deep buffer zone with it’s peer possible competitors on global stage. This allows them with impunity to punish anyone they consider threat to their hegemony
But with conflict with Russia in Ukraine western countries have invited more challenges than before since the fall of Berlin wall. such opportunity has given middle eastern power such as Iran a second chance to crack on Israel, the reason US is avoiding that conflicting from expanding prompted minimal skirmishes between Israel with Iran backed Shia Lebanese group Hezbollah