IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF?

Parallels Between the Past and Today

By Anthony T. Eaton

History is not just a series of past events—it is a warning. It is a stark reminder of what happens when unchecked power, intolerance, and division take hold of a society.

One of the darkest periods in our history was the rise of the Nazi regime in German. It didn’t happen overnight. It started with the erosion of personal freedoms, the silencing of opposition, and the targeting of marginalized groups under the guise of national security and morality.

Now, we must ask ourselves: Are we seeing history repeat itself?
History may not repeat in the same way, but it certainly echoes. And right now, those echoes are getting louder. The tactics used by authoritarian regimes of the past—silencing dissent, restricting information, scapegoating vulnerable communities—are being employed once again, right in front of us. The question isn’t whether history is repeating itself. The question is: Are we paying attention? And more importantly, will we act?

The past.

On February 27, 1933, a fire engulfed the German Reichstag (parliament) building. The Nazi regime wasted no time using the incident to claim emergency powers, blaming Communists and other political opponents. With fear as their weapon, they passed sweeping laws that suspended civil liberties and cleared the way for a dictatorship.

Sound familiar?

Throughout history, governments have used crises—terrorist attacks, national emergencies, pandemics—as justification for expanding their power. In the aftermath of 9/11, the United States enacted the Patriot Act, allowing law enforcement and intelligence agencies to conduct surveillance, monitor online activity, and access private information without a warrant. Fear was used to push through policies that would have otherwise been unthinkable. And once those freedoms are taken away, they are rarely given back.

In May 1933, Nazi-supporting youth stormed the Institute of Sexology, a center for LGBTQ+ advocacy and research. They seized thousands of books and research materials, burning them in public demonstrations. This was not just an act of destruction—it was an attempt to control what people could learn and discuss.
Today, the same battle is being fought.

We are witnessing a renewed push to ban books, restrict educational content, and suppress discussions on history, gender, race, and human rights. The LGBTQ+ community has, once again, become a primary target—facing bans on participation in sports, restrictions on gender-affirming care, and the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the country.
This is about controlling the narrative. It’s about making sure only certain voices are heard, while others are erased.

In 1934, the Nazi regime passed the Schriftleitergesetz (Editors’ Law), requiring journalists to register with the government. Only those who could prove “Aryan descent” were allowed to work in the field. This law effectively eliminated independent journalism and ensured that all media served the Nazi agenda.

This is happening again.

Independent journalism is under attack. Governments and political leaders are working overtime to discredit, silence, and even criminalize the press. Here in the U.S., we have seen political figures openly call for the imprisonment of journalists who challenge them. We have heard promises to shut down media outlets that don’t fall in line. This is not about “fake news”—this is about controlling information and punishing those who expose the truth.

The Nazis systematically persecuted Jehovah’s Witnesses, Communists, and other groups that opposed their ideology. These individuals were arrested, banned from practicing their beliefs, and sent to concentration camps.

We are seeing this pattern emerge again.

Laws are being passed under the banner of “national security” and “traditional values”—but who do they target? Religious minorities, political dissidents, and those who refuse to conform. We are hearing more and more rhetoric promoting the idea that the United States is a “Christian Nation,” implying that all others are unwelcome or even un-American. This is the groundwork for religious persecution.

Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazis used Paragraph 175 of the German criminal code to arrest and imprison LGBTQ+ individuals. Many were sent to concentration camps, forced to wear the pink triangle—a symbol of shame that has since been reclaimed as a badge of resilience.

And yet, LGBTQ+ rights remain under attack today.

Our current leaders are pushing executive orders to restrict gender markers on passports, reinstate military bans on transgender service members, and criminalize gender-affirming care for minors. They are banning discussions of LGBTQ+ identities in schools, punishing teachers for affirming students, and making it harder for queer youth to feel safe in their own country.

This isn’t about “protecting children.” This is about erasing people.

While history does not repeat itself exactly, it rhymes—and right now, the echoes are deafening. The tactics of the past—silencing dissent, restricting information, scapegoating marginalized groups—are being used once again.

But here’s what history also teaches us: resistance is possible.

We may feel powerless, but we are not. Individuals and communities have stood up against tyranny and oppression before—and because of them, we are here today. Now it’s our turn.
What can you do today?

Stay informed—knowledge is power, and questioning everything is essential. Speak out, even when it’s uncomfortable—especially then—because silence only enables oppression. Support organizations that defend human rights and democracy, as their work is critical in protecting our freedoms. Vote, because the ballot box remains one of our most powerful tools, and using it is not just a right but a responsibility. Encourage open and respectful dialogue, because conversations have the power to change minds, and changed minds can change the world. The past is a warning. But it is also a roadmap for resistance.

Will we let history repeat itself? Or will we fight to stop it? The choice is ours.