Remembering Howard Zinn
Professor Howard Zinn
1922-2010
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Memorial Statement
17 February 2010
College of Arts and Sciences
Boston University
Submitted by David Mayers
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Howard Zinn enlivened Boston University by his longtime presence in the Political Science Department, where he first assumed teaching duties in 1964. His colleagues and students esteemed him. He made an indelible impression. Even many critics at this university, and elsewhere, who were not drawn to his activism or ideas felt obliged to take him seriously as a decent man.
Before coming to Boston he had already compiled impressive records of engagement and achievement, both within the academy and without. These included service as an officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II, work on behalf of embattled labor unions, and deep involvement in the African-American struggle for civil rights. Along the way he also earned a BA at New York University (1951) and a Ph.D. at Columbia (1958).
Howard’s first teaching assignment was at Spelman College in 1956, where he eventually chaired the History Department. Among the publications written during his Spelman years, his most successful was a book, La Guardia in Congress, which won the American Historical Association’s Albert J. Beveridge Award.
Howard wrote and published continually throughout his years on the BU faculty and without interruption after his retirement in 1988. His list of books and articles is too long to rehearse in this brief space. Suffice to say that they made rich contributions to historical scholarship, political discourse, dramatic literature, and autobiography. The titles include
Artists in Time of War,
Hiroshima: Breaking the Silence,
Vietnam: The Logic of Withdrawal,
You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train,
Marx in Soho.
Howard’s most famous book, originally published in 1980, is A People’s History of the United States. As of this date, the book has sold nearly two million copies. Fast-paced, hard-hitting, and unorthodox, it has inspired most readers, offended some, and forced all to revisit the standard American narrative of a nation progressing inevitably from democratic strength to democratic strength. For Howard the story was more complicated than conventional depictions allowed, especially when viewed from the perspective of people not belonging to the privileged cast or political elite. He helped create an analytical and narrative space for Native Americans, African Americans, ethnic minorities, feminists, and the laboring classes. Before Howard came along, their tribulations and contributions had been–generally speaking–less fully treated, less carefully scrutinized by mainstream history and political science.
The most striking feature of A People’s History is the passion that suffused the writing. And it is precisely this quality that marked Howard’s life. His devotion to democratic idealism, his revulsion for war, his disdain for pomposity, and his optimism that varieties of bigotry and cruelty shall be overcome sprang from his irrepressible passion: a passion for justice. And it was infectious, as thousands of eager BU students have attested time and again. His colleagues too in the Political Science Department and throughout the university (even those who did not always agree with him) were impressed by the fire in his belly, and often inspired to do their part to improve U.S. society and politics.
One last comment: Howard was not only a bold activist, a prolific and important writer, a dedicated teacher. He was also a gentle soul possessed of genuine interest in other people. These were lovely qualities–and not necessarily understood by people who saw him from a distance or thought of him only as a man of causes. His modesty, his humor, and his warmth of feeling–traits that he shared with his remarkable wife Roslyn (Roz)–endeared him to a diverse community of friends, family, like-minded thinkers, the famous, and people often overlooked.
In sum, Howard’s was a complete life. Boston University and this tired old world are better thanks to the vividness of his example and the durability of his teachings.
The Department of Political Science is currently planning an event to honor Howard Zinn. Details forthcoming.