RIP Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn died. He was an author, historian, teacher, and tireless activist for peace and civil rights.
I first read his most famous book, A People’s History of the United States, in college. This book was pivotal to my own radicalization; it was the first major work I read that questioned history as it was presented to me in school. I learned from Zinn that there are multiple sides to every story, and the story is told most often is probably the story of the oppressors. I learned from Zinn to question institutions and authority. He will continue to be one of my intellectual heroes.
We were not born critical of existing society. There was a moment in our lives (or a month, or a year) when certain facts appeared before us, startled us, and then caused us to question beliefs that were strongly fixed in our consciousness – embedded there by years of family prejudices, orthodox schooling, imbibing of newspapers, radio, and television.
– Howard Zinn, “Changing Minds, One at a Time”, in: The Progressive magazine, March 2005
Tags: Howard Zinn
(On January 28th, 2010 at 10:14 am)
He is what motivated me to become a teacher of social studies and history. Got me wanting to teach other people to be critical thinkers and to see more than just the side that is typically presented.
(On February 17th, 2010 at 9:53 pm)
It certainly appears that I need to read that book. Looks like good stuff. And he looks and sounds like an awesome human.
I had “my critical moment”, several years ago about organized religions….after having been force fed that shit for 20 years…Since then, I’ve never felt better