We Lost an Important Voice Yesterday

Howard Zinn died yesterday.

Howard Zinn, the Boston University historian and political activist who was an early opponent of US involvement in Vietnam and whose books, such as "A People's History of the United States," inspired young and old to rethink the way textbooks present the American experience, died today in Santa Monica, Calif, where he was traveling. He was 87.

Noam Chompsky said:

Both by his actions, and his writings for 50 years, [Howard Zinn] played a powerful role in helping and in many ways inspiring the Civil rights movement and the anti-war movement.

He immeasurably affected me and my life. I never missed a chance to see him speak and bought most of his books and videos, including his Emma Goldman play and his comic book!

As important as Dr Zinn was to a couple generations of Americans, I will be surprised if the MSM spends any time on reflecting on his accomplishments and influence. Howard Zinn is certainly more important to the changes we made in the United States in the '60's and '70's -- and his life and work should be celebrated more than Michael Jackson's, but I doubt it will be.

We have some really screwed up priorities.

h/t backbonecampaign.org for pix