I was saddened to hear about the passing of Howard Zinn. He was a remarkable man, a remarkable historian and a remarkable advocate for neglected people everywhere. Perhaps best known for his book A People’s History of the United States, Howard saw this country not through the eyes of its leaders but through the eyes of slaves, peasant farmers, textile workers, teachers, bus drivers and average people like you and me.
Shortly after 9/11, Mr. Zinn spoke at Reed College. The event hall was filled, of course, and the then seventy-something man came to the podium in his kaki pants and sweater and spoke, without notes for some two hours. And then he took questions. And the time passed like a few minutes. He didn’t just write history books, he was a history book.
After the event, at perhaps 11PM Pacific, Zinn was mobbed by students in the lobby. I made my way into the crowd to see him sitting on a bench in the foyer, students already sitting at his feet. I wanted to talk to him too, but there were too many people.
My friends and I left Reed and decided to get something to eat. We talked about his talk over a very late diner, and, perhaps motivated by Zinn’s hopeful idealism, drove down to the Red and Black, a little socialist bar off division. And it was while walking across the street to the Red and Black that I saw Howard Zinn, alone, turning the corner. Nobody saw him but me, so I went over and introduced myself and said how much I enjoyed his talk. It was already midnight, and 3AM his time (Zinn had flown in from Boston that afternoon) and I simply couldn’t believe he was out on the street. We talked for a few minutes and he said he had a friend who ran the Red and Black and was hoping to see him. So Howard Zinn and my friends and I walked into the bar. (Do you remember this, Penny?)
It happened to be open-mic night, and right next to the door was the microphone with nobody behind it. All the chairs in the bar were full and there were even people sitting on the floor in front of the microphone. And that’s when I did the most rude thing I’ve ever done. I wasn’t thinking at all. I walked through the door and straight to the microphone and said “Ladies and gentleman we have a special guest tonight: Mr. Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States.”
The audience gasped, looked over at Mr. Zinn who was looking blankly back at me, and then they began to clap. I felt terrible. But Mr. Zinn walked over to the microphone, thanked the crowd, and delivered a twenty-minute lecture on why artists are right, even referencing a local nurses strike that was taking place at that time.
And after that I bought the man a beer. It was the least I could do.
Howard Zinn, you’ll be missed. Thanks for teaching us that you can’t be neutral on a moving train. The train moves on without you.
I haven’t read “A People’s History of the United States,” but I’ve been meaning to for a while. He will be missed.
I haven’t read Zinn either, but I’ll be looking him up tomorrow.
Ah, Millsey… We love your stories of awkward good-heartedness. We expect no less.
Hey man. Good stuff.
When I saw you at the National Youth Workers Convention in Cincinnati, I met Tony Campolo. It kind of felt like that for me.
Actually, I’m responding to this post and the one about Pat R. You, sir, are tough, wise, correct. Dead on target! Like you, I’ve long been troubled by those who may “hold the truth in un-righteousness. So lacking in compassion. So judgmental. You are so right!
Zinn was brilliant, his work in “People’s” serves as a turning point in how we’ve learned to approach and LISTEN to history outside of the dominate cultural construct… you want to talk about “story”? He gave voice to the unheard and ignored stories of history and showed us the importance of listening to ALL stories, because our story is not just one voice but many. He will be missed.
I’m glad you are following through on one of your new year’s resolutions to blog more often
Hey Don, after giving up on most Christian related speakers/communicators, I seem to keep coming back to check you out. I have had a very painful couple of years, and I have lost my connection to God. I can’t get it back. You seem real, is there anything I can do to reconnect? I used to believe that he loved me…
amazing how he can captivate audiences even with spur of the moment speeches… makes me wonder if i will ever be that requested or that good for that matter.
I hesitated on posting a reply because the man passed away, but I still think it is necessary.
Zinn was only a “remarkable” historian in that he was a remarkably poor one. His “Peoples History” book is riddled with inaccuracies. He constantly substitutes his opinions for fact and he would always start with theory first and introduce facts second. His world view was such that he saw greed as being the motivating factor for any action taken by those who didn’t qualify as “the people.” This would include the breaking from England’s rule, the Civil War and both world wars. They were nothing but a means to an end for the “ruling class” to get richer at the expense of “the people.” He wrote drivel that bestowed praise upon Maoist China, made the ridiculous claim that the Nicaraguan Sandinistas were “welcomed” by their own people and claimed that Fidel Castro had no record of suppression. This “history” book of his doesn’t contain a single source citation. It’s easy to see why when so much of what he writes in it is wrong. It’s a terrible “history” book.
The man may have been an engaging figure and I don’t doubt the man’s intelligence and knowledge. But he was a lousy historian and nobody who wants to understand the history of the United States should read that book. If you want to read a 775 page left-wing editorial and opinion piece about US history, then by all means, enjoy.
Well said, Jay.
Zinn is quoted as saying “I stand to the left of Mao Zedong” and this during the time of the Mao’s takeover. I find it incredible that someone who taught Marxism as good and just would be thought of as an “advocate for neglected people” as Miller writes. There has never been a Marxist state where neglected people are helped. It is proven that Marxism only makes more people neglected and poverty stricken.
I’m confused. Christians can go in bars? (Gasp)
Mike, you didn’t ask me, so I won’t give you my 2 cents…biting my tongue.
except for…
I’ve had my own time of personal darkness which included heartbreak, fear, and confusion.
The greatest gift of that time for me was that through it God showed me just how much He really did love me…in His way…not the way I always tried to make Him show me.
Praying for you today…that hope would flood back in and that DON would give you his 2 cents since he is the one being asked.
oh wow–i’ve been out of pocket and just learned of Zinn’s death here, Donald. A great man and I envy you your encounter with him. R.I.P., Howard Zine.
Don, this is crazy. I want something like this to happen to me.
Don, if that’s the rudest thing you’ve ever done you’re awesome and I’m a lot ruder than I thought.
I got to hang out with HZ once in Kerville, TX and he was gracious and kind and had huge hands, like a Modigliani painting. I remember wanting to say smart things but my mental narrative going, “Did his hand just wrap around mine about three times when I shook it? I think it did…”
Jay,
First off, thanks for your post. It scares me when too many readers of this blog agree. That said, I certainly don’t think Howard Zinn was a perfect historian. The reality is, though, he had more politically conservative critics than he did critics who were fellow historians. Would you agree that you are politically conservative and have that bent? Your comments do sound biased toward a particular worldview (as does Zinn’s writing). Also, if he was a crummy historian, could be be as intelligent as you say? Just some thoughts.
I tend to read people I disagree with more than people I agree with because, as frustrating as the experience often is, its the only way we really learn. So Howard Zinn, in that sense, taught me a lot. Of course he was an idealist to the end, which is why so many twenty-somethings and artists like him.
The benefit of what Zinn wrote about was that he looked at history through the perspective of the underdog, and sadly thats a unique perspective.
Still, I appreciate your response…
It is a moot argument that the expert in question was not criticized much by his/her peers, only his/her natural critics. Of course. You should know more than most that in the academic world (among fellow scientists or historians, etc) there is tremendous pressure to never admit you were wrong, to stay with the status quo (which has been for years motivated by a socialist agenda)
You say Zinn uniquely looked at history through the perspective of the underdog. Marxist propaganda has always been pushed through the eyes of the underdog. It’s not a unique perspective. It is a manipulative one. I lived in Russia for over 6 years and spent hours in the art museums. One of the ways Lenin came to power was by exploiting the exploited through art and literature. And power is what it was all about, not caring for the poor and neglected. I wish everyone could go visit a Russian state hospital or factory and see what socialist idealism leaves you with. Talk about oppression.
I really like what Rose wrote below. I agree that the church doesn’t coexist well with socialism or Marxism. These ideologies in practice have no room for the church.
Mike, God has not disconnected from you. We disconnect ourselves, mostly when the world starts taking over our spiritual lives. Don’s stuff is fantastic. I don’t always agree with everything, but his thoughts have helped me see again that God is so much bigger than our little world. Yet He still pays attention to us and wants to pay attention to us as if we are His whole world.
I’m praying that God will send you someone who can touch your life. This online stuff is great, but it just can’t replace a human hug or a human shoulder to share burdens.
You’re a gifted storyteller Don. Seriously.
Interesting, Don that you would rather defend to Jay your notion on HZ than reach out to Mike – a brother who is obviously in need of – in fact quite courageously ASKING YOU for – a word on how to get back to God.
Wow- a motley group of responses…Well, to add my two cents! I’m new to your blog, but LOVED your story– thanks for sharing. I love to read, write and pick the brains of other authors and would have very much enjoyed having a beer with Howard Zinn- what a great experience to have had!
I do not know of Howard Zinn but am now inspired to read his book. A thought crossed my mind when the validity of is work was being questioned. The history books are largely comprised of what those with power say the history was; ergo, the history of the poor and impoverished is not as complete. This might have gave rise toward Howard Zinns’ passion toward…”pleading the cause for the needy, for those who cannot speak for themselves”. It is doubtful that every word in history book is 100% correct. With any human being from whatever ideology there is always a margin of error…even on the highest of Ivory Towers.
A history professor of mine who I respect VERY much once said at the beginning of his class, “No one group has a stranglehold on all truth.” He is the best I have ever seen at selecting reading materials that tell a historical account from all viewpoints–regardless of his own. I learned a great deal in his classes. As you said Don, reading material from a different veiwpoint is one of the best ways to learn.
I appreciate some of Howard Zinn’s work because he exposed difficult truths of oppression and gave many underdogs and oppressed people a voice. (God asks us to stand up for the widow, the fatherless, the oppressed, etc. As a young Christian, some of Zinn’s idealism and activism strikes a chord with what I believe.) He provided a different perspective that contained a certain amount of truth.
Jay, I also agree with you that he overstates his case many times (you provided some examples). I’ve found it is human nature to stretch the truth to state your case and prove your theories. Sometimes this is intentional and sometimes there is just no way to glean all the facts in the fallen state of this world. We are going to choose the “facts” that go with our theory. All this is to say that I think Zinn and his “left-wing editorials” had some wonderful, truthful insights in them, but I also have heard people with a “politically conservative bent” provide great insights. Like my professor said– none of us have a stranglehold on all truth.
I think we can all learn from each other’s perspectives. A big part of it is showing everyone the grace that our Father asks us to give. We really need to give each other the benefit of the doubt.
@Savanna. Often a blog site is not the best way to help someone. I’m going to give Don the benefit of the doubt. Only God, Don, and Mike know what might be happening behind the scenes.
Mike I have struggled with the same thing. Some days are better than others. Sending a quick prayer up for you right now even though I have no idea how the mystery of prayer works.
Blogging lacks the intimacy of face to face communication so it is easy to attack somone’s posts without really knowing the perspective they come from (just a post or two). Don has written a bunch of books so it’s like we “know” him in a way. But we all lack the intimacy that actually comes from knowing each other. I suppose we are all just sharing our perspectives and hopefully everyone learns something from it. I apologize for being long-winded. Blessings to you all.
Donald, you’re one of my favorite writers. I look forward to reading your next book, whatever that may be. I’ve read A Million Miles twice and had a get together with some other ladies to discuss it.
However, I agree with what Jay said. To comment on what you said about world view, I believe an accurate world view does matter, it effects how we react to the problems we face. For example, Socialism is a Utopian world view. It has the belief that it is the job of the government to be the parent of society by providing for each and everyone of its citizens. The people look to the state for comfort, they grow lazy and fat. I don’t believe that socialism and the church coexist in harmony, in fact it displaces the church. One aspect of this is if the state provides for everyone where will my opportunity be to do God’s will and provide for those in need? The state slowly pulls freedom away from the church as it (the state) grows. All you have to do is look at where Europe is and it’s spiritual deadness to see this played out.
You said that Zinn had an “underdog’s perspective” as though that perspective is good and moral. Not all perspectives are morally equivalant nor are all societies. If that were true then we have no business preaching Christ as the source of salvation for mankind. And, by the way, when writing history the author must remain objective. A historical view should be accurate and factual. As far as the underdog is concerned, the church absolutely should fight for justice, such as William Willberforce did in England fighting against black slavery and as many Christians did in this country.
However, I don’t think we should have an “underdog’s perspective” because that would be empathy run amuck. Empathy should be balanced. Not even God bestows excessive empathy on us. We mistakingly believe that all hardship is evil. We are commanded to love our neighbor, provide for the widow and the orphan, feed and clothe the poor and rightly so. But also God commands personal responsibility, Paul says that if a man won’t work, neither will he eat.
I could say more about misperceptions about greed and market driven society but I’ll stop here.
I hope my comments make sense. I’m a bit nervous trying to communicate my thoughts to someone whose communication skills I so much admire.
[...] people — or, I guess, his audience comprised of a good deal of Grad Student radicals. This is good, for instance. As is this. To get off that stereotype, maybe. Furthering [...]
Great story.
By chance did you ever buy JD Salinger a beer?
A thought, I’m not much of an American Historian more so I focus on British/Irish conflict but I thought I might suggest a thought that my professor brought up in Seminar yesterday. Writing history is, in her words, like “mental masturbation.” In that sense passing off one’s opinion as fact (outside an encyclopedia I suppose, but it seeps in even there) is actually the point. Thus the best way to understand history is to read various perspectives, Zinn whether you agree with him or not is just one in a multitude you may or may not agree with. His writing has had an affect on those who’ve read it (again, whether they agree or not) and as a result it’s worth respecting the man for writing it.
Great story!
Oh, Howard Zinn….so sad. Only you, Don, would walk into a bar, see a mike, walk up to it like you own the place and say, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Howard Zinn!” It’s always an adventure with you, and Zinn played the part perfectly.
As for his detractors, I get your points, but here’s mine:
1) The notion that ANY history is factual and objective is a complete misnomer. It’s always told from someone’s perspective (i.e., a bias) and it’s usually the victor’s.
2) If we don’t tell the “underdog’s story” we get the impression that the only people who can make a difference in the world are those in worldly positions of power. MLK, Jr. deserves his spot in the history books, but he was not the Civil Rights movement, and the sweeping changes to American society wouldn’t have happened without the thousands of unnamed people who fought on the side of justice without any recognition. These stories need to be told.
That’s my two cents….
My next task: have a beer to celebrate Zinn’s life….
I’m certainly not intellectual enough to debate whether history is or isn’t, or should or shoudn’t be, fact or opinion. But I do know that Paul said that governments are brought about by the will of, and for the purpose of, God. Inspite of the shortcommings and mistakes of the U.S. and it’s capitalistic corporations, observations shows me that much of the world is better off today because of the it. I recently had a conversation with a man who owns a vacation home on a lake in MN, he own’s 750 acres of midwest farm land, his wife inhereted a family fortune and he sent his kids to school on scholarships while championing the cause of the under-privilaged and bemoaning the evils of corporate America.
I find it ironic that scholarships set up by the corporations for the purpose of giving those a chance who would never have it otherwise, are so often taken advantage of by those who derile the corporation’s greed and could afford to send their kids without the scholarship if they just give up some of their materialsim. I find this to be true with a lot other than scholarships.
Who is to say what’s unfair and what’s going on behind the scenes. There are bernie maynoff’s to be sure. There are indulgences we can only imagine. And amoungst that, the bulk of charity is given by those people, regardless of their reasons. We don’t know what these wealthy business owners do behind the scene and we put ourselves in the possition of God by judging them, doing so without knowledge. I’ve always suspected that those who do that, had they lived 3500 years ago, would have complained and cried “unfair” because Solomon had such vast wealth, never knowing or considering that God placed him in that position for some greater purpose, hidden from our eye’s. We all choose to see what we choose to see and ignore the rest to our suiting.
Don, you really helped me to understand this BLJ is the best. I am the problem!!!
Been living under a rock lately and just realized that Zinn had passed. I thought it quite appropriate that I learned about it here, though. Blue Like Jazz and You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train are the only two books I have shared with my stepmother in my adult life and they made for some of our best conversations!
Howard Zinn has encouraged more hatred toward successful people than just about any other person in academia. He beat his breast for knowing what he “lower class” was suffering, while living in an ivory tower. This is just more of that “look at me I’m alternative” and cool christianity. You bought him a beer, I’m glad you told us all. Be sure to put that in your next book.
Read this post months ago, but finally found the time to read some of Zinn’s work. Started “You Can’t be Neutral…” last night and finished it just now. Thanks for the anecdote and the suggestion…