RIP Howard Zinn

Howard Zinn, the influential historian and writer, died today at the age of 87. His controversial "A People's History of the United States" was required reading in a course I co-taught called AP US History/English 11 Honors, and became a staple of status quo challenging rhetoric for the kids. Loved him or hated him, Zinn knew how to start the discussion. Perhaps my favorite bit in that book is the first chapter where he accuses Christopher Columbus of genocide as he chronicled that explorers near elimination of the Arawak Indians. Heck, we even put Columbus on trial in that class and used Zinn as a star witness. I don't remember the verdict, but I do remember that this man made us all think. That's a pretty nice epitaph, no?


Here is a panel from one of Dr. Zinn's last projects, a graphic novel based on his life (As chronicled in his 1994 memoir, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train). Look for a movie of his life soon, as well (starring Ben Affleck).