"Be Honest About the History of Our Country": Remembering the Historian Howard Zinn at 90

DemocracyNow.org - The late historian, writer and activist Howard Zinn would have turned 90 years old today. Zinn died of a heart attack at the age of 87 on January 27, 2010. After serving as a bombardier in World War II, Zinn went on to become a lifelong dissident and peace activist. He was active in the civil rights movement and many of the struggles for social justice over the past 50 years. In 1980, Howard Zinn published his classic book, "A People's History of the United States," which would go on to sell more than a million copies and change the way we look at history in America. We air an excerpt of a Zinn interview on Democracy Now! from May 2009, and another from one of his last speeches later that year, just two months before his death.
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[@dwdeclare1965]

one thing howard said at his brilliant and thought-provoking talk at boston university that stood out for me was, "Very important thing to keep in mind, that when justice comes and when injustices are remedied, they’re not remedied by the initiative of the national government or the politicians. They only respond to the power of social movements."

[@wease2000]

And my goodness we certainly now more than everneed the people to take reclaim their lives . Keep protesting!

[@2bsirius]

Thanks for remembering Howard Zinn. He was amazing.

[@gunnarg58]

Zinn talks about real american hero's. It probably never iccurred to him that his name belongs on the list. Thank you Howard Zinn.

[@DillPhobia]

Remember when Howard Zinn died and Ben Shapiro was like "good, when's Noam Chomsky next?"

[@DillPhobia]

Jane Elliot, Jr. I did not delete :)

[@Gembappe]

Yeah. I remember. Ben Shapiro is a fucking tool.

[@chris.robertson]

A People's History of the United States was one of the best books i ever read!

[@rolandmathews5048]

"A Peoples History Of The United States," should be required reading in all High Schools.

[@DanielMazahreh]

I was happy to witness that one of the High School students I was tutoring had scanned handout copies from Zinn’s book that discussed the chapter of the Natives. I was impressed!

[@danielshaw4038]

Roland Mathews: Yes, the Leftist would love that

[@DanielMazahreh]

@@danielshaw4038 Howard Zinn's history book is more accurate and honest about the USA than any other history book.

[@fanaticalplel1003]

History books should teach the good the bad and the ugly this book is just the bad, plus socialist bs

[@DanielMazahreh]

@@fanaticalplel1003 No, all sources of good education and history must be looked upon with a critical lens. Critical thinking is about explaining the origins of a problem so that we may resolve said problem for future generations. There is MORE GOOD in a clear objective like that compared with biased history books that show the good in racist and pro-war leaders. What's so productive about explaining the good in a leader? Also, what socialist BS?

[@MiteshDamania]

The greatest history teacher ever

[@eyemagistus]

"I went down on my knees and prayed to Almighty God for light and guidance ... and one night late it came to me this way. We could not leave (the Philippines) to themselves--they were unfit for self-government--and they would soon have anarchy and misrule over there worse than Spain's was. .. There was nothing left for us to do but take them all and educate the Filipinos, and uplift and Christianize them." -- President William McKinley

[@2Fiddle4U]

Ain't that telling...

[@ncrtrooper1782]

We need real history in the classroom

[@MarkoKraguljac]

Thin thread of sanity lives on and will prevail.

[@4teepee]

The South Dakota grave with 500 bodies is but one example. However, you are correct about one thing not justifying another.

[@lizgichora6472]

Happy birthday Howard Zinn; Standing for the rights of Democracy, the other 98%

[@Imhornydadcomeinside]

Not really, I'm always cracking up at your avatar when I receive respondnotification in the inbox.

[@ManufacturedLack]

Each of us could find a great many things, in which we disagree. As I have my biases and personal preferences, it is fair to recognize, and respect the beliefs of others, like Amy. I have shared in your sentiments, regarding the manner in which the presenter presents. Whether I agree with her or not, it is her forum that has inspired debate. Hollywood is a game, if you don't play ball, they will Mel Gibson you. If you really step out of line, you'll get Tom Cruise'd.

[@depro9]

Mark Twain was close friends with the inventor Nikola Tesla. Too bad Zinn did not write a book about the history of Dr Tesla. :\

[@Imhornydadcomeinside]

Response nr 1: The reason why people like me "bash on america" is because we want America to be what it's claiming to be bt isn't, a noble country who is honest, free and self critical. America is hardly any of the things mentioned. It's a super power and therefore it must have a harsher judgement than other countries. It's a tad bit funny how you say that we shouldn't be harsh to a country who claims itself to be the representative of the free world.

[@danielshaw4038]

Howard Zinn's History of the United States?

[@Happy-uy5wc]

Howard Zinn's, "People's History of the United States " It's at the public library. ✌😎

[@danielshaw4038]

@@Happy-uy5wc Read it Explains why I finished the statement with a Question mark

[@Imhornydadcomeinside]

Uncle Sam does not approve.

[@Imhornydadcomeinside]

Response nr 2: What is "white bashing" exactly? Seems to me you're the type that would cry out that word for the tiniest bit of criticism towards a whites. We know that blacks can be racist too, but blacks/asian and etc in America does not have any impressive amount of power. We don't bash on people just because they're white, they just happen to be white, just because extreme leftists are racist self hating whites doesn't mean that anyone saying bad words about the white elite is a hater.

[@MOTOFIENDXXX-jr3qv]

Pffff- Well THAT PIECE OF CRAP IS IN HELL NOW!!!!! Columbus overthrew ANY Indian tribes WITH 30-50 MEN???? (and POSSIBLY A FEW WOMEN?!?!?!?!!!!!) HOW MANY PEOPLE FIT ON THOSE SHIPS HE SAILED WITH? DID THEY ALL HIT LAND AT THE SAME TIME?- IN THE SAME PLACE???.... "NO!!!!!" So, there were ENDLESS TRIBES at that time, TRIBES THAT "KNEW" WAR!!!!!! (had been at war WITH EACH OTHER SINCE FOREVER!!!!!!)- But Columbus OVERTHREW "THEM ALL"?!?!?!!!! I "NEVER" HEARD THAT COLUMBUS WAS A GREAT MILITARY GENERAL!!!!!!! It's MORE like "Columbus showed up, being GREATLY outnumbered, he offered the Indians some things TO BE ACCEPTED IN AND *NOT BUTCHERED!!!!!* Then HE *HAD* TO DO ALL HE COULD FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO STAY AND BECOME FRIENDS WITH THEM, or again, BE BUTCHERED BY THEM AND HAVE ALL HE HAD TAKEN FROM THEM!!!!!!!! (which IS what Indians were REALLY GOOD AT!!!!!!- THEY HAD BEEN DOING IT TO EACH OTHER FOR IONS!!!!!!)!- And while there "they discovered GOLD", which the Indians HAD NO CLUE ABOUT, THEY WEREN'T EVEN RIDING HORSES YET, LET ALONE MAKING ANYTHING OUT OF "ANY" TYPE OF METAL (anyone EVER seen a kiln or ANY other type of metal refining equipment IN "ANY" PICS OF THE INDIANS BACK THEN OR IN "ANY" HISTORY BOOK OF THEM BACK THEN?!?!?!!!!!!!- there was NO SUCH THING AS AN "INDIAN SMITTY!!!!!"), so the Indians OF COURSE let them take ANY metals that Columbus found, for THEY HAD "NO NEED" FOR THEM!!!!!- They were MORE CONCERNED WITH THE WINE AND OTHER SPIRITS THAT COLUMBUS AND HIS PEOPLE MADE!!!!!!!!! (check the books, they were HUGE ON GETTING HIGH!!!!!!!- that is what "smoking their 'peace pipes' was all about") You all see, WHEN YOU DON'T *THINK* RETARDS (SATANUSTS) LIKE THIS "EASILY" GET YOU TO BELIEVE "ANY" SATANIC CRAP THEY CAN THINK OF!!!!!!!!!!! Like THIS b.s. here.

[@birdofhermes1655]

My God you peopke are lunatics. He poisoned your minds.