As the world witnesses the ongoing genocide in Gaza, protests against the Israeli Occupation Forces have erupted globally, including in the United States. Despite calls for accountability, the narrative of being on the “wrong side of history” persists, challenging our understanding of past atrocities.
This narrative often oversimplifies history, overlooking the complexities of our existence and the true mechanisms of change. Distortions of historical figures, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., serve to dilute their radical messages, perpetuating white supremacist power structures.
History can be manipulated to serve both those in power and the oppressed. Leaders like George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan have seen their legacies transformed posthumously, highlighting the need for organized efforts to ensure accurate historical accounts.
Ultimately, waiting for history to bring justice is futile. Real change comes from active engagement, organizing, and challenging oppressive systems. In a time where urgent action is required, relying on history alone to hold individuals accountable is ineffective.
It is up to us to mobilize and dismantle these systems, rather than passively relying on historical retribution. The power to create change lies in our hands, not in the pages of history books.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.