The Alarming Parallels Between Afghanistan in the 1970s and Project 2025

In a compelling black-and-white photograph, three women are seen walking outdoors on a city street in 1970s Afghanistan. Dressed in modern, Western-style clothing, including knee-length skirts and blouses, these women appear to be smiling and engaging with each other, surrounded by an urban setting complete with trees and buildings. This serene and progressive image contrasts sharply with the accompanying text that reads: "To those of you who think we are overreacting about Project 2025" and "These are women in Afghanistan in the 1970s."

The photograph and text together deliver a powerful message, drawing a direct comparison between historical events in Afghanistan and contemporary concerns regarding Project 2025.

The historical context is crucial. The 1953 Iranian coup d'état, backed by the U.S. and British forces, led to the overthrow of the elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh in favor of the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This action was aimed at protecting British oil interests but resulted in the Shah's tyrannical rule, which directly contributed to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This revolution ultimately led to the establishment of a totalitarian regime, replacing a previously more liberal and secular society.

Comments from users on the photograph highlight the gravity of this historical lesson. One user remarks, "Fascism happens slow until it happens fast, and then it's over for you in the blink of an eye." Another adds, "Yeah, let's not ignore how fascist US policy destroyed said democracy in Iran." The sentiment is echoed further with, "The direct result of Russian and subsequently US, Saudi, P***stani, and Chinese involvement in Afghanistan."

The image not only serves as a stark reminder of Afghanistan's past but also as a cautionary visual narrative regarding future political developments. "Keep in mind that the Islamic revolution in 1979 was directly caused by 25 years of dictatorial oppression under Shah Pavlahvi--installed after a 1953 U.S. CIA coup (run by Kermit Roosevelt) overthrew a democratically elected parliamentary constitutional government," notes a commenter.

The fears surrounding Project 2025 resonate with many who see it as a potential precursor to similar oppressive regimes. One user warns, "On abortion: it starts with making a woman seek permission from a doctor to terminate. But doctors, for the most part, are concerned with the woman’s health so that won’t be strict enough. Eventually women will have to go before a panel (of men, most likely) to get an abortion. When that becomes commonplace, then it will get to where a man can FORCE a woman to get an abortion and she has NO choice in the matter. It’s a slippery slope."

The photograph, taken in 1972 by Laurence Brun, serves as a nostalgic yet sobering reminder of a more progressive era in Afghanistan's history—a history that many fear could repeat itself under different circumstances but with similar outcomes. The image and its message continue to spark conversations and reflections on the importance of vigilant political awareness and active participation in safeguarding democratic values.

As one commenter succinctly puts it, "I'm voting as hard as I can." The urgency to learn from the past and act in the present to prevent a repeat of history is palpable and necessary.