Remembering Howard Zinn

Until Howard Zinn, History to me was just a narration of winners and losers with a smattering of dates which were just plain hard to memorize; an exam i had to get through. And then a few years back I picked up "People's History of the United States" on the recommendation of none other than Noam Chomsky who said something like- to paraphrase - if you had only one book to read, read that.

Sure enough it was one of the few books that I just couldn't put down. Made me realize that history is not about the conquerors and the victors who did these earth-shattering deeds, but all about the countless small actions of many unsung heroes. A timely reminder in these times when everyone is looking up to Obama to get us through the mess and save the world.

What we read in textbooks is just selective history and the world needed this book to come along to reveal the truth which was right there very much in front of us but which we just refused to see - exposing the victors like Columbus or Andrew Jackson for what they were and revealing facets of other heroes that we never knew like Hellen Keller or Mark Twain to use his oft-quoted examples.

Darn it! The impact of the book was so much on me that all i saw in Avatar was a condescending story of a victorious white man who had to step in to save the natives! A script that could have been written by an official historian!

If you read People's History, the one lesson you will take away is to make your voice heard and to be an active citizen! Every time i sent a fax or signed a petition or wrote a letter to the editor I have always felt that someday the future Howard Zinn when writing the people's history of our times will use MY letter (yes being a narcissist here) as proof to say that "No, not everyone in india was pro big dams", "No not everyone in India was silent during the Gujarat riots", "No not everyone is against Universal Health Care", and hopefully after Jan 30th "No not everyone was for Bt.Brinjal". This is how i actually overcome the overwhelming cynicism that floods my brain every time I take on an issue.

So here's to a great teacher and historian who will be sorely missed. And yes he might never be mentioned in any history textbook 50 years from now, but maybe someone will stumble upon my blog to say he was admired and respected even by ordinary citizens of the world!