An Interview with Howard Zinn : Dissent as Democracy

[Better Believe It]

Weekend Edition
January 29 - 31, 2010

An Interview with Howard Zinn
Dissent as Democracy
By WAJAHAT ALI

A great titan of the progressive movement passed away this week.
Howard Zinn died of a heart attack in California at the age of 87.

The indefatigable Zinn maintained a prolific activist and academic jab fueled by his political and social activism nurtured during The Civil Rights Movement. The esteemed historian and controversial rabble rouser's seminal work, "The People's History of the United States," endures as a popular and beloved history book giving voice to the often marginalized, oppressed and downtrodden members of our society conveniently edited out of the textbooks. Despite his advanced age, he was still touring, giving lectures, and showed no signs of stopping.

Over the past two years, I exchanged several emails and correspondences with him after we conducted this interview. He always had a kind word, provided encouragement, gave great advice and made time to respond in spite of his hectic life.

I will always remember and respect him for his unwavering moral and ethical compass which was always directed towards ensuring social justice and equality for all.

Last year, Professor Zinn agreed to an interview reflecting on his historic and memorable time at Spelman College in the '60's, his thoughts on the Democratic Party, his philosophy of dissent as democracy, and his hope for America's future.

I will let the man who spoke for the voiceless, speak for himself.

Please read the interview with Howard Zinn at:

http://www.counterpunch.org/waj01292010.html