Wole Soyinka's essay "Every Dictator's Nightmare" in the April 18, 1999 edition of the New York Times magazine seems almost prescient in light of current geopolitical events. The recent events that occurred in Egypt are certainly representative of the themes present in Soyinka's essay; “the idea that certain fundamental rights are inherent in all humanity” (476). Soyinka, the 1986 Noble Peace Prize winner for literature, portrays in his essay not only his well-formed personality, but also his well-formed thoughts, devoid of literary naivety common in so many writers today. The essay describes societies as corrupt, but with some elements of innate nobility. The existence of societies is guaranteed by the awareness that every individual has undeniable fundamental rights. Soyinka also presents an overview of the slavery of individual cultures; to the forces of religion, dictatorship, economic pressures, forced labor and ideology; presenting the reader with strong examples of the world's failure to respect individual human rights throughout history while explaining the paradoxes that have riddled the historical search for just societies. Soyinka suggests that one of the most important ideas in history is the belief that every individual is born with certain basic human rights. His essay does not specifically outline what these rights are; but from examination of the essay it may be judged that they include freedom from bondage, freedom to live without anxiety or fear, and the right to knowledge. Postulates that throughout history, the primary struggles have been between those who wish to suppress the rights of others and those who desire freedom... middle of paper... details Martin Luther King Jr.'s role in the movement American for civil rights. Despite this, the essay is still very useful in underlining the need to respect fundamental human rights. Recent events in Egypt are indicative of what happens when individuals gain the political and social will to stand up to oppression. The Egyptian people have organized protests to overthrow the thirty-year dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak. This is the foundation of 21st century uprisings; the desire for fundamental human rights and dignity. Soyinka's sage predicted them 12 years ago; the world is watching; and dictators and powerful politicians know it. Works Cited Soyinka, Wole. “Every dictator's nightmare”. The Arlington Reader: Contexts and Connections. 2nd ed. Ed. Lynn Z. Bloom and Louise Z. Smith. Boston: Bedford, 2008. 475-80. Press.