Conversations with History: Howard Zinn

UC Berkeley's Harry Kreisler interviews historian and activist Howard Zinn. (2001) Series: Conversations with History [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 8400]

[@01BIW]

I was honored to do my Masters Thesis with Howard at BU, and to see him give a speech about 1 year before he died. He has left quite an indelible impression on me.

[@DillPhobia]

Wow! I wish I could have met him.

[@johnharrison6745]

@@DillPhobia Then, I wish both of you could meet some competent psychiatrists.....

[@DillPhobia]

@@johnharrison6745 To treat what, exactly? The relentless hope towards a better world?

[@carlosmurillo6183]

What did you major in as an Undergrad?

[@hakanhabip1]

"...the very engagement with other people in a common struggle for something that you all believe in, is a victory in itself." Thank you Howard Zinn:-)

[@r.bevantrembly3687]

Hakan Habip YES!

[@shawnaweesner3759]

Well, you’ve been taken for a ride, Sir. Howard Zinn was nothing but a Communist Coward, who never had the guts to move to Russia! His desire was to tear down the United States. He was a traitor!

[@JohnBynumTheHappinessCoach]

9,bax99no9. 9n

[@user-jv3mm6vt6e]

North Vietnamese slaughtering South Vietnamese peasants: let me introduce myself.

[@user-jv3mm6vt6e]

@@shawnaweesner3759 he was much worse than a communist coward, he was an active evil self-rhighteous propagandist. He was the worst the west could ever produce. He was the manifestation of the toxic ignorance which the misguided clueless spoiled boomer and millennial minds craved for.

[@Sociotarian]

It's a sad, but ultimately edifying fact when somebody says, "I understand how atrocities work." I met a man during my Master's (I in my 20's, he in his late 50's) who relayed to me his account of having fun while setting people and villages on fire with parachute-flairs during the Vietnam War. I watched a grown man cry, and I listened as conveyed how he came to terms with the error of his ways. I think it also sad that War vets who truly understand are so vastly different than chickenhawks.

[@brianwheeldon4643]

Thank you so much for this interview. Howard Zinn with Harry Kreisler's obvious skill as an interviewer lead one to (dare I say this) to hold out a small faint flame of hope that humanity can work it's way through the horrific problems it has created for life on planet earth.

[@terrytari1891]

ZINN IS GREAT!

[@thesunazrael]

you, being the youth of our generation are the new hope. I wish there were many more like you that were intellectually curious and willing to venture outside of the prescribed books of standardized education. Continue to be an example and maybe there will be hope for us all.

[@johnharrison6745]

If they do that, they'll discover that people like Zinn are contemptible infestations that need to be fumigated. 😏😉😜

[@GruntKF]

@@johnharrison6745 is that so? Curious what way you think we should organize society

[@johnharrison6745]

@@GruntKF Yes; it is. And, we should organize society around the Bill of Rights with a few alterations/additions. 😉

[@rjoettesquire9358]

I appreciate Zinn's views on the war. He has such a sound grasp on reality of war, and history. His sense of rightness comes from having grown out of his ignorance, and very clearly shares his progression of this journey so others can understand and relate to their own journey, and appreciating that of others.

[@37Dionysos]

Well-said!

[@noellewithane6111]

So many dont ever grow out of their ignorance.

[@TranscendentaLobo27]

More like grew INTO his ignorance.

[@saskk2290]

@@TranscendentaLobo27 ?

[@poisej]

10 years passed. Ever more relevant today! “That even if you’re engaged in a movement where the future that movement is uncertain, even if you are trying to achieve an objective which looks very very far away. simply working for it makes life more interesting and more worthwhile. So that you don’t have to look for some victory in the future. That the very engagement with other people in the common struggle for something that you all believe in. That, is a victory in itself” .

[@frank2778]

I'm less optimistic. The rich and powerful have all the human and financial resources available to execute political and economic gambits. It takes the working poor decades to zig, while it only takes the rich a few days to zag. Usually, they employ several nefarious strategies to prevent the diminution or dissolution of their power. Technology has been used to achieve an even greater control of information and concentration of power.

[@nancysanders2398]

@@frank2778 What you say,sir,makes a great deal of Common Sense,which Voltaire stated : " Common Sense is not so common." Voltaire was quite accurately,correct.The " Powers that Be," are the people with the control,money,and power,which they use the Federal Reserve,IMF,World Bank,IRS. Thank you,for expressing your thougbts,ideas,philosophy. Most sincerely,Nancy,Missouri.

[@joshmcdonald7472]

Yes it’s very apt. He is the reason we have this 1619 project garbage teaching history that makes black people the central actors and pretends that every good that this country has ever brought on the earth is irrelevant because black people had slavery put upon them

[@hfdpayner]

R.I.P. howard zinn i read this on Noam Chomskys facebook group about Howard Zinn "His writings have changed the consciousness of a generation, and helped open new paths to understanding and its crucial meaning for our lives. When action has been called for, one could always be confident that he would be on the front lines, an example and trustworthy guide." -- Noam Chomsky

[@JAGM94]

Peoples History of the United States was a truly enlightening experience. Written by a man who truly submersed himself in the times he wrote of.

[@joshmcdonald7472]

Just like 1619 project is “truly enlightening”. When you just make up facts it must be incredible to read such fantasy for the first time

[@saskk2290]

@@joshmcdonald7472 They are different books from different times. Howard wasn't pandering

[@joshmcdonald7472]

@@saskk2290 Howard, like the 1619, makes things up and takes events and loosely connects them to some overarching plot where if you’ve never actually read history it sounds like a coherent argument.

[@fishbone3333]

I am glad to hear this from a 16 year old. If and when you have children, pay it forward. People's History is one of the most important works of non fiction ever.

[@robertrichard6107]

I was glad when I finally bought a copy of A Peoples Hist...

[@paulgibby6932]

I didn't read it until I was 68. I regret it took so long to find it.

[@kengodfrey8988]

@@robertrichard6107 8

[@edguy52]

It was this interview. It inspired me to become a historian. It inspired me to go to Berkeley. The rest is history...

[@frankgage3524]

Howard Zinn learned how to TRULY cut to the chase,especially in matters of logic,honesty,and decency. Truly a precious jewel who will shine his light forever!

[@juancarlosvasquezgarcia253]

An inspiring scholar. I admire his work very much 🤩

[@josephososkie3029]

Juan Carlos Vásquez García . Scholar? His material is all derivative.

[@juanmonge8]

You need more names.

[@juancarlosvasquezgarcia253]

@@juanmonge8 We all do. And, what's more important, we all need to make a name for ourselves.

[@juancarlosvasquezgarcia253]

@@josephososkie3029 Says you.

[@juanmonge8]

@@juancarlosvasquezgarcia253 Touché!

[@wisetraveller]

I was fortunate enough to read Zinn's People's history of the United States before I began to observe American politics. I am so humbled by so many people who fought for their basic human rights which we now cherish and yet they have no place in Hollywood movies or history books. There are way too many brave selfless people in this country to let the rich and ignorant thugs take it down. If only the rest of the world read Zinn.

[@matasitatato]

incredible interview.

[@furyxan]

Will someone please tell me why he's gone now and Kissinger is still here. R.I.P. Howard. At least you'll be missed, unlike some people.

[@schoolake]

RIP you fought the good fight

[@quarters-eye8922]

Howard Zinn was a Communist. He didn't fight the good fight. He worked to undermine the United States.

[@joshmcdonald7472]

He’s the kind of guy you pop champagne to on the anniversary of his death. His disgusting philosophy is in action today

[@Libellisth]

@jkforever10 yup..

[@toastedmonkee]

Howard, your words have been a bright light shining through the darkness. Thanks for keeping us informed over the years. You will be missed.

[@juliearnold555]

Great conversation.

[@DjediMind]

RIP Professor Zinn.

[@camaradiop3731]

@Marshall Kinnaird ????

[@jeromediaz1]

Thank you so much for putting this video online. It was simply passionating! Just to mention, also, that Zinn's "A people's history..." is mentioned in one of the greatest novels recently published: "The Given Day", by Dennis Lehane.

[@ElectronLord]

Mr. Zinn, your efforts in bringing justice to this world will echo in history.

[@Nikolus]

An inspiring scholar, but moreover an inspiring person. I hope that those of us who appreciate Mr. Zinn will act in such a way that ensures his example is not just an aberration, but rather a point of departure.

[@Yourismouter]

rest in peace howard zinn,would've loved to have met you and talked history and politics with you.

[@quarters-eye8922]

Howard Zinn was a POS Communist.

[@djrychlak4443]

A People's History is heart-wrenching. The sadistic perfidy of the moneyed elites tracks the creation and development of the USA.

[@DennisCambly]

I suppose the most revolutionary act one can engage in is ... to tell the truth - Howard Zinn

[@reebleono]

real inspiration

[@DavidByrne85]

what an excellent person

[@bighorn2004]

i love the music in this video! that is the soundtrack to educational tv. god bless Professor Zinn.

[@lasagnajohn]

love that music too, instantly knew this vid gonna be good. star hustler has cool music. Zinn is our Mom. Mom reminds you your brother isn't really your opponent or a threat in the big picture. Mom ain't so useful dealing with bad guys or winning death match free-for-alls tho. For that, even she looks over at Daddy. Daddy works at China Lake.

[@nickestone1]

Zinn was a truely great writer ,thinker and activist.He inspired another book -- Chris Harman's Peoples History of the World which does for world history what Zinn did for U.S. We should try to learn form the past to better shape the future.The US working class fought militant struggles in the 1930's to establish union rights against brutal employers. . The Autolite plant in Toledo ,longshoremen in San Fransico and truckers in Minneapolis were great victories. We need this again today

[@37Dionysos]

Had the honor to meet and shake hands with HZ in the early 90s. He was warm, down to earth and wide-awake to what he was doing as an historian. "People's History" should be required reading all through early education---if, that is, education is a crucial pillar of democracy. Never listen when people charge HZ with "being political," for ALL history does that: it's just a question of whom it speaks to and for, and Zinn put his work into democratic inclusiveness, even if it cost him a "career."

[@ArnoulfDeMetz]

Yes, I studied his book as part of a history course I completed at Cal State Northridge back in 1988. He was truly a seeker of the truth, the nasty truth that is always covered up by the establishment.

[@janinesalamida]

Mr Salamander...brilliant observation. I heard the Christopher Walken right off. but Billy Crystal??? amazing ear you have. complimenti....

[@markbricklin3096]

Great video!

[@TPDManiacXC626]

Perhaps his teachings have made me realize his hopes and that of his predecessors, I had a dream about a prophecy that the next generation of his students will bring a great change to the world, and he will be the one to guide those revolutionaries, and I believe that I am one of those revolutionaries. And he believes in every one of us who seek to create a future of peace based on his teachings.

[@NickLongfellow]

Is Howard Zinn still teaching? If so where? I couldn't imagine a better use of time than to go sit in on a class taught by him, absolutely wonderful to hear a voice of intelligence and reason in this time of ignorance and apathy.

[@NorwegianDean]

Such a smart man. I've come to learn the same thing he says regarding lies and things that are ommitted.

[@niriop]

I read the chapter on the Great Depression from APHUS for history and it was obviously the best, most comphrehensive source I had for my essay--I intend to read the entire book in the near future.

[@tahiranawaz2987]

May God bless his soul. Amen.

[@croppingbeef]

LOVE the intro song

[@misterarrecho]

A great man, a great mind.

[@terrytari1891]

Zinn is a great speaker! I can hear Martin Luther King Jr in Dr Zinn's voice!

[@ezzerdamoose]

@PremiseTester I think you are right. Both Paul and Zinn are honest intellectuals. They may have very different politics but they would be able to have an amazing conversation, I'm sure of it. I cannot say that about anyone else in the GOP leadership race today.

[@futsal1958]

Farewell to a great man and a hero.

[@MrLuisamartinez]

I suspect strongly that the operators of the close captioning device intentionally twist or change the words being captioned for example this interview at the 27.25 minutes.Mr Zinn has a very CLEAR pronunciation so, i dont have NO OTHER explanation for the constant flaws of the captioning. Please give me a sound explanation if I am wrong.

[@davidstimp]

@patsfan124 FYI: Alternative Radio in Boulder, Colorado (run by David Barsamian) has an excellent audio collection of speeches and interviews with Zinn. Check with Radio Free Maine as well.

[@MarkoKraguljac]

Brilliant guy

[@Mark999999999]

Not sure if I prefer the music or the interview!

[@Defsolid]

Professor Zin said:"Pitiful risks" about what one might lose as a "truth teller". That's how people who have in a way destroyed the comfortable illusions that the system creates speak. To us weak materialistic bunch, unfortunately it does take courage to do the right thing and to speak up against injustice especially when we're not touched directly by the latter.

[@PUB2BM7T]

@gunnerfan87 I agree with you... profoundly... RIP Mr. Zinn.

[@theresewalters1696]

How about some volume on this?

[@n3v3rg01ngback]

The internet has hours, no, DAYS of interviews and lectures by university professors. This would have cost thousands of dollars twenty years ago. How are we not all de facto college graduates?

[@martinjames4293]

Another great CwH interview. I noticed a slight edit at 32:26 I didn't think Conversations with History did edits

[@bapyou]

R.I.P. Dr. Zinn. Another voice of truth and sanity is gone from this world. It's a bit darker today than it was yesterday.

[@rafaelliteral1755]

A pitty this video has a little more than 100 thousand views, while "Sorry" by Justin Bieber has more than 3 million. (Nothing against Bieber. But, oh, boy, good info, sustaining material, such as this video, is so undervalued!)

[@majordbag2]

@ehunter2 Now (if you read my previous post) that I've more or less decided to quit trying to have reasoned argument with you: Just out of curiousity, considering how positively view the Vietnam war, did you ever actually serve in the US military and if so, what was you job, what years did you serve, and where were you stationed?

[@BloggerMusicMan]

Howard Zinn, nuff said. R.I.P.

[@aGothicStory]

When was this?

[@harshilldhingra4984]

anyone else the editing in the end was a bit awkward, not just the sound but even the cutting

[@Raford146]

Yes, and that's exactly why I think his anit-war/pacifist views are more sincere than most.

[@majordbag2]

@ehunter2 Actually my "research" consisted of going through government archives, collections of communiqués between foreign embassies (FRUS), declassified CIA documents, and testimony about the Vietnam War by both American and Vietnamese Veterans of the conflict. Also my father was a veteran of the Vietnam War, was the farthest thing from a hippie, and he agreed that most of my conclusions are accurate. Your "research" probably consists of Glenn Beck and films like "Flight of the Intruder".

[@DebsForPresident]

That kindness makes one feel good does NOT mean "it's in your own self-interest."

[@cschmidtler1]

I think this point of 27:25 is clear and original, I hear no twists. Yes, he has been thrown into jail for a day or two 7-8 times. In this point I hear: "...and that has happened to me."

[@JesseFrederik_]

It's in Marx's Das Kapital, in chapter 10 section 3. The whole section is filled with quotes like this one.

[@papelhojas]

@oldstock1607 that is true, and i think that it is apparent to some degree that i have sympathy for the professors and teachers that you are talking about, and also agree that sometimes their bias does color their lessons, but nearly without exception (in my experience) the aforementioned educators were available only at a college level. History, as it is studied in high school and before, seems to me to be shaded with a sort of western righteousness, and i think its important to self examine

[@JesseFrederik_]

"Children of nine or ten years are dragged from their squalid beds at two, three, or four o clock in the morning and compelled to work for a bare subsistence until ten, eleven, twelve at night, their limbs wearing away, their frames dwindling, their faces whitening, and their humanity absolutely sinking into a stone-like torpor, utterly horrible to contemplate." This was written in England in 1860. To argue that people voluntarily worked under these conditions is outreagous

[@PremiseTester]

I've read Howard Zinn books. And I've read Ron Paul books. Strange, but I think if they met, they'd be friends. They're both skeptical of power-seekers, intelligent, sincere, and too good at writing to be very engaging interviewees. Plus they disagree enough to keep each other interested. Just a thought.

[@k2sm84]

2020

[@majordbag2]

@ehunter2 Actually the education I received in Elementy school tended to be in favor of the Vietnam War and very rarely questioned the idea that our government has always been good and just to everyone. It wasn't until I was in High School that I found out embarrassing facts like Ho Chi Mihn worked for the US during WWII to fight the Japanese or that (and the source on this is the CIA) if free elections were granted in South Vitenam in 1954 80% of the voters would have voted communist.

[@DebsForPresident]

What's being talked about here is not about jealousy, and has nothing to do with "I want to live like people in magazines." It's about common decency, becoming aware of the crushing poverty in the world, and wanting those people to have basic human rights, human needs met. Ignoring the greed that causes this may lead to "happiness," if one has no conscience, for yourself. How can anyone have so little conscience, though? And should only your own happiness matter?

[@superdog797]

A People's History of the United States is an amazing read.

[@papelhojas]

@oldstock1607 that is a fair point, and you're probably not wrong i think (and at this point i would also like to admit that i am not an expert on the matter), but it seems to me that a project like the peoples history necessitates that sort of polemic writing because it is looking at history through a different sort of lens, it rejects the premises that are well established and considers a different historical paradigm, but then again i, admittedly, havent read all the most recent scholarship.

[@Mrgruffy44]

My sentiments exactly. Except I am 68 yrs old, and only up to Chap 6. I'm glad that you read this book, and maybe realize that what is taught in our schools is mostly crap. I would hate to be 17, and face the world you are going into. I don't know what to say to encourage you. If you kids think our schooling system stinks, you are correct. Just read the books and watch the videos by Charlotte Iserbyt and John Taylor Gatto. Then you may understand how we've been screwed.

[@TheFlanker35]

@Drregaleagle, I've never heard that.

[@janinesalamida]

i was just recovering when i found out about salinger!...and they say these deaths come in threes...

[@mymojorisin]

Actually Capitalism does have a manifesto. It is called "The Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire by Andrew Bernstein

[@JapanJohnny2012]

a heck of a guy

[@zoemavridi2763]

What an amazing, inspirational person - he changed my life ❤️

[@johnharrison6745]

Then you need competent "men tall" health-care.

[@mgtoadski]

he's been Emeritus since 1988.

[@PerajIran]

R.I.P Zinn

[@evanokeroa4877]

Hate wrong love what's right

[@papelhojas]

I have heard a few times that most historians dont truly take Howard Zinn seriously, and i think that is okay, most historians look at macro-history, view it as a series of events which lead to the present, but Howard Zinn does something quite novel i think, he looks at history as more of a narrative, then he tells that narrative "through the voices of those who lived it." of course i am admittedly biased on the matter.

[@evanokeroa4877]

Whoses shorty

[@JeffMaddox]

Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky are my heroes!

[@robertroselle9082]

Without a doubt, two GREATS!!!!!

[@oscarrobert4725]

Neither could talk about Fake 9/11. Very disappointing and sad. Indicates some things are just too disturbing for most, even the most courageous.

[@mujinnokoya]

@furyxan I just saw Kissinger on TV. The mans chin is literally connected to his torso. There's no neck. He can't have too long left in the ticker.

[@richardmayger2716]

Revolution now

[@rappakalja5295]

Cry harder

[@tomtrinley]

For more on Howard Zinn and A People's History of the United States view Monumental Myths on You Tube.

[@cekisdve]

R.I.P Howard Zinn!

[@janinesalamida]

Chomsky paid a lovely tribute to Zinn today. And nooooooo, heaven forbid we lose another brilliant mind. especially when there are so many obtuse ones out there ...the list goes on and on...maybe one of them could just get out of the way!

[@madhippy3]

I share this to friends over Facebook but unfortunately it seems that wanting to expand my understanding of social conflicts and becoming class conscious is abnormal for someone that has just graduated high school. So my friends ignore this, shame shame shame.

[@quidnick]

Scientists have shown that individuals who do kind things receive serotonin to the brain, which is responsible for eustress and happiness. (This is assuming you're not a sociopath...) But usually kindness is in your own self-interest.

[@DaHonestAbe]

It's as Lewis Black said/ The good die (young), BUT PRICKS LIVE FOREVER!!! R.I.P Howard Zinn :(

[@jacobvardy]

Was it secure for the people or for the nobles? I'm sure that a purse of gold belonging to a priest or nobleman was safe but i doubt that the crops of the peasants were safe.

[@keahende]

rockin hair do

[@rastaman39]

RIP Zinn an American Lion !!!

[@lewars1912]

@Gulfporter I think what you really mean is that you disagree with anyone who has left-wing views.

[@Ineedeveryoneshelp]

The Native American tribes would've eventually established something similar to the United States on the land anyway, as they became more and more aware and informed of the funky ways of the rest of the world.

[@dritaesyvetemi]

Nothing wrong with being a waiter

[@Capulator8]

@janinesalamida nooo don't say that lol I couldn't take it if we lost Chomsky, Pilger or Fresco lol

[@RusselBertrand]

Democracy comes alive not when Government does anything because Government cannot be dependent on to rectify serious injustices, It comes alive when people organize and do something about it. Now thats a F'in Quote