HOWARD ZINN

POSTED: Jan 29.10

Associated Press

My friend, the great historian, Howard Zinn died in his Santa Monica hotel room on January 27th. I was going to have dinner with him next Sunday. His “A People’s History of the United States” was a classic. I am told Matt Damon is planning on making a documentary of it. Here’s a beautiful quote of Howard’s:

To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something.

If we remember those times and places–and there are so many–where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.

(Howard Zinn, The Optimism of Uncertainty: The Nation, 9/20/2004)

Tags: A People’s History of the United States, Friend, Historian, Howard Zinn, Matt Damon, The Optimism of Uncertainty

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18 Responses to “HOWARD ZINN”

Lorena Sulbarán Guerrero says:

January 30, 2010 at 9:49 am

Hola Jane,

I just read this news in my mail, is somehow sad news…but is also a fortune to know today this wonderful man who wrote and think magically.

How valuable can be our lives, if we believe in the goodness of those with best energies, give us hope in humanity, that I just read in the mail written by
the great historian, Howard Zinn, give me lights…in the midst of this political hurricane in my country Venezuela. Only in a few lines I have more hope for our future.

Although I must say I am very sorry, and give my condolences, these very specials peoples always remain alive with all their wonderful ideas.

An embrace of solidarity,
LOrena
excuse my English.

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millie says:

January 30, 2010 at 12:33 pm

Very sad about Howard Zinn’s passing but grateful for his life and message. Wish more people he wrote about knew him. Hope they Google search his name and become inspired to read/learn more. Thank you Jane for including him in your blog.

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frederique dhenein says:

January 30, 2010 at 1:14 pm

wonderful quote of Howard Zinn! avoiding to look on the dark side ,always be turn on light!historical optimisn, staying eager to build up great things,not being narrowminded, from an infinite of presents,building up a great future! always ahead! Frederique dhenein

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lisa sarto says:

January 30, 2010 at 1:36 pm

Hi Jane,
It was very sad to hear about Howard Zinn’s passing, what a brilliant man he was. I wanted to let you know that matt damon did do a documentary that will be available in February.The People Speak (Extended Edition)
Starring: Howard Zinn, Matt Damon Director: Howard Zinn, Chris Moore Rating: NR (Not Rated) Format: DVD
3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
List Price: $19.95
Price: $14.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $4.96 (25%)
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This title will be released on February 9, 2010.
Pre-order now!
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Lisa

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David Orr says:

January 30, 2010 at 6:42 pm

Dear Jane,

Thank you for writing about Howard Zinn. He had a profound effect on me and on thousands (tens? hundreds? more?) of people who read his work.

Thanks for your blog, and for the opportunity to communicate with you. I am a fan and an admirer of your films and your activism. You have made a difference in the world, and I am grateful!

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Marco says:

January 30, 2010 at 6:54 pm

That`s a nice quote by Zinn, but I must admit little admiration for him. Here is a guy who chose to emphasise ,in his book ” A People`s History of the US” , obscure anarchist and pacifist sects in his chapters on WW2, instead of backing Roosevelt`s war effort and that of the Allies. Typical of the stupidities of the mainstream radical Left . Marco

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- Jane says:
  
  January 31, 2010 at 9:33 pm
  
  To each his own, Martin
  
  Reply
- leeza says:
  
  February 1, 2010 at 12:01 am
  
  Marco,
  I can’t understand how you could write about Zinn, someone who fought in WW II:
  
  “Instead of backing Roosevelt`s war effort and that of the Allies.”
  
  How much more could he have backed the war effort than by being willing to sacrifice his life?
  (Though he later learned about the insanity of war, saddened by his participation in the first use of napalm on innocent citizens.)
  
  And you say
  “Typical of the stupidities of the mainstream radical Left.”
  What is the mainstream radical left? (Isn’t that an oxymoron?)
  
  Sui generis would describe Zinn, there was nothing typical about him, and there will never be another like him.
  The world has suffered a loss that will leave us mourning for a very long time, but we were lucky, so incredibly lucky, to have him with us for so long.
  
  Reply
  - Jane says:
    
    February 4, 2010 at 2:19 pm
    
    hmm Leeza, I never said “Typical of the stupidities of the mainstream radical Left.” W here’d you hear that one?
    
    Reply
susan callaway says:

January 30, 2010 at 7:12 pm

years ago i read howard and his historical truth
about the u.s. deeply affected me and helped me heal in my relationship to this country.
thank you so much for this.. ironic that salinger
should die also.. deeply affected by both..thank you

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Haleema says:

January 30, 2010 at 8:20 pm

Howard Zinn will be greatly missed by my middle schoolers grades 7 and 8 as his book is our main history textbook my students say his book is the best book they ever read on US History
he allowed them to see all sides of history and to come to their own understanding of what happened

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tom lacey says:

January 30, 2010 at 8:53 pm

Howard Zinn had always been very authentic as a human being as well as an historian, and so he focused on what was important, the poor and common people in our history, but not just because they are such, but because they are misused and exploited because they are poor or black or female. So there has always been a lot of injustice associated with not being part of a rich or ruling elite. Howard developed a sense of class consciousness from his own life experiences as well as reading Charles Dickens.

Here is a link to one of his interviews on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMt7cFFKPeM

Many of us have been inspired by Howard Zinn. Also, tonight I watched on Booknotes a talk by Amy Bach author of Ordinary Injustice: How America Holds Court which took her eight years to research and write. Whenever I see a such a scholar who is so devoted to a cause and does such objective research.

What is the best lesson perhaps is to think for yourself, to feel for others as you like, to have the kind of friends you like without regard to social opinion or any fear of not being popular and also to be part of progressive history in the making.

One lifespan is too brief not to be anything but authentic and to always profess what you believe. Even if there are negative consequences, you always have the company of those who have also be courageous.Such is a legacy that lives on at every moment and is not bound by a particular lifespan.

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Martin says:

January 30, 2010 at 10:50 pm

Would you have any problem with my copying this and putting it on my blog–giving you full credit, of course?
Thank you,
Martin
mgood66@juno.com

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- Jane says:
  
  January 31, 2010 at 9:32 pm
  
  That’s fine, Martin
  
  Reply
Tim says:

January 31, 2010 at 3:57 am

When I was in high school, my AP US History teacher used to quote him all the time. May he rest in peace.

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Mary Rolston says:

February 10, 2010 at 12:42 am

Sadly, I do not remember learning anything about Howard Zinn in school. He sounds like he was a very intelligent man who will be missed. Thank you Jane for letting us know about his passing, and for providing the great quote from him that you did. I will read more about him in the near future. Sorry for your loss Jane. Take care, Mary

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Kathy says:

February 16, 2010 at 1:55 am

Jane, I’ve just found your blog. So sorry I’ve missed it all this time. Met you in the late 90’s at a 9-to-5 event in Atlanta and our chat was so inspiring to me! Don’t expect you to remember, but I’ll never forget your sincere kindness.

I first learned of Zinn through my boss at BU in the late 70’s – they were 2 of the “BU Five”. Then Zinn’s History – wow. He will be missed! Thanks for highlighting a fantastic, hopeful quote. And sorry for your loss of a friend.

I’m looking forward to doing some catching up here!

Be well, take care, Kathy

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Brandon says:

February 19, 2010 at 1:47 am

May he rest in peace. I shed tears when I heard of his death.

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