Al Jazeera Discovers History, Somehow Forgets its Relevance
The story focuses on Lucy Campbell, showcasing her valuable work in revealing the lasting wounds of apartheid and colonialism in South Africa. This critical examination of past injustices is vital. Yet, when it comes to, say, the current aggressions in Gaza, the same nuanced historical lens often blurs. The Nakba of 1948, the 1967 occupation, the ongoing blockade—these foundational historical acts
are frequently presented as background scenery, not the core narrative driving current events. Instead, we often get a sanitized 'conflict' narrative, devoid of the historical oppression that fuels it. One might imagine an activist in Gaza giving a tour through the ruins of Gaza City, detailing the 75 years of displacement and siege. Would the mainstream media frame that as mere 'history' too, or
as a direct indictment of ongoing power structures? It appears some histories are more convenient to acknowledge than others.