Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Howard Zinn (American Historian, Activist)

Howard Zinn (1924–2010) was an American historian, political scientist, playwright, and social activist. A radical historian and left-wing activist, he fought for a vision of a just and peaceful America. His People’s History of the United States sold nearly two million copies.

Born in Brooklyn, New York City, Zinn worked as a pipefitter before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, becoming a bombardier; he opposed subsequent wars, particularly the Vietnam War and the Iraq War.

Zinn attended college on the G.I. Bill, earning a B.A. at New York University. He went on to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate at Columbia University in New York City. In 1956 Zinn became chair of the history department of Spelman College, a historically black women’s institution in Atlanta. He later taught at Boston College 1964–88.

Zinn’s best-known book is the left-wing narrative A People’s History of the United States (1980.) Told from the then-unusual perspective of America’s women, Native Americans, workers, and the dispossessed, the book provides a revisionist view of American history from the arrival of Christopher Columbus—who Zinn charges with genocide—to President Bill Clinton’s first term. In this and his many other works, Zinn explored how changes have come more from grassroots movements than from the actions of the conventional historical heroes and espoused his belief that ordinary people must stand up to injustice and fight to bring about a just society.

Zinn published a version of A People’s History for younger readers, A Young People’s History of the United States (2007.) In addition, he narrated a 2009 History Channel documentary based on A People’s History. His memoir is You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train (1994.)

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by Howard Zinn

Scholars, who pride themselves on speaking their minds, often engage in a form of self-censorship which is called “realism.” To be “realistic” in dealing with a problem is to work only among the alternatives which the most powerful in society put forth.
Howard Zinn

We need to decide that we will not go to war, whatever reason is conjured up by the politicians or the media, because war in our time is always indiscriminate, a war against innocents, a war against children
Howard Zinn
Topics: Decision

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.
Howard Zinn

If patriotism were defined, not as blind obedience to government, nor as submissive worship to flags and anthems, but rather as love of one’s country, one’s fellow citizens (all over the world), as loyalty to the principles of justice and democracy, then patriotism would require us to disobey our government, when it violated those principles.
Howard Zinn

If those in charge of our society — politicians, corporate executives, and owners of press and television — can dominate our ideas, they will be secure in their power. They will not need soldiers patrolling the streets. We will control ourselves.
Howard Zinn

Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens.
Howard Zinn

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