Introduction
History,
history is not what happend, but the story of what happened. Person who are
good at writing, or what we call historian is one who can change the world, and
can manipulating data also. As Howard Zinn said that history is never neutral,
or never possessed purposes. So history is set by those who have a paricular
interest, they can maintain the interest of the world that has been estabilized
or possible to create a new world. Columbus an example, he is the spanish
criminal who transformed himself into an American hero in history.
Summarize
In
the article “Speaking Truth to Power Book
(2005),” Howard Zinn said that the book is able to change someone life, can
change the world. In his book, Zinn wrote the history about Columbus, he want
to open a new view oh the American people about Columbus. So far, people only
known that Columbus is a hero who discovered the American continent, so every
year the American people have a “Columbus
Day on October 12,” as memorial of his services, who have discovered the
Americas. But in his article, Zinn talk about some of the fact Columbus that
not everyone knows. Zinn wrote that Columbus was not the discoverer of the
American hero, he is in fact not a good
person, he is a criminal, not a devout Bible reader, and Zinn said that
Columbus was a murderer, torturer, kidnaper, mutilator indigenous people,
hypocrites, people greedy search for gold, and a rapist also.
Critical
In
a book or article of course there are advantages and disadvantages. So, I will
criticize Zinn’s article from a few things. The first, he did not explain who
the actual inventor of the first American continent. Second, black and white of
Columbus. Third, why Columbus trip to India. Fourth, the references are not
strong.
First, as we know that in article “Speaking Truth to Power Book,” Zinn said
that Columbus was not the person who first discovered America, but he also did
not mention who the actual inventor of the first American continent. From here
we know that is a weaknesses of Zinn’s article. Why? Because when he and his
book speak the truth about who is Columbus, so there are many people who want
to know also who the first inventor of the Americas if not the Columbus. If
seen from the weakness, we can consider that Zinn was inconsistent in his
writings. Zinn gave information to the reader jus little bits and pieces. So,
the reader can not access the full information from the article written by Zinn
that.
But
when we read another article written by Howard Zinn of “A People’s History Of The United States 1492-Present,” we will know
why Zinn did not mention who is the discovered of American continent. In his book, Zinn just explained about Indian
tribes, what do Columbust against them and about what really happened. So, we can not blame
Zinn entirely because the purpose he written it only to change the people’s consciousness about Columbus, not explained
about the history of America.
Second,
after I read Zinn’s book, he just explained the badness of Columbus, he did not
explained the several thing goodness of Columbus. The people’s American
considered that Columbus is Villain who doing the biggest genocide to Indian
tribes. Troughout, I tried to found the good side of Columbus against the
American people but there is no. In the perspective of the people of Europe,
they think Columbus is a hero because the Voyage whose doing by Columbus is
disclose new path European voyagers for found new world. So from the statement,
Columbus has two sides which are black and white. He is seen black by Americans
for his cruelty and white is seen as opening up new horizons for the Euro.
Then
what is the reason Columbus traveled from Spain to India? As said by Howard
Zinn and Alwasilah that history is never neutral. There are different versions,
so dipending author’s knowledge. In one version may have something in common,
for example in the writing of a fact. Many author who write with detailed fact,
but there are also authors who did not
include detailed fact. So, the reason Columbus traveled from Sapain to India
also have different version. The fisrt version, the early history of Columbus trip
away across the sea that is because in England, he was commiting a crime that
is raping a Spanish princess who was aged 13 years. Not knowing would give the
death penalty or not, the Queen Isabella decided to send him on a mission
discovery of a new continent. When the ultimate the goal is to find India, with
hopes Columbus will not be back again.
The
second version is due to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 by Islamic armies
that resulted in the supply of spices to the European region is lost. That
prompted the Europeans seek new areas to
search for spices, but beside that they have a hidden goal, that is the motto
of ancient imperialism : Gold ( looking for riches ), Glory ( looking for power
), and Gospel ( spreading Christianity). Because it is also the trade between
the East and the West is lost, they are looking the other way towards the eastern
world.
The
last is the references in Howard Zinn’s book “A People’s History of The United State 1492-Present, and Speaking Truth
to Power Book,” there is no actual references. For example from his book, Columbus
wrote in his log... “They ... brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears
and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks'
bells. They willingly traded everything they owned... . They were well-built,
with good bodies and handsome features.... They do not bear arms, and do not
know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut
themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of
cane... . They would make fine servants.... With fifty men we could subjugate
them all and make them do whatever we want.”
Columbus
wrote: “As soon as I arrived in the
Indies , on the first Island which I found, I took some of the natives by force
in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there
is in these parts.”
In
his book, Howard Zinn does not include details such as reference books present
day, such as footnote, note, opinion of experts or professors. So what is
written by Howard Zinn in his book as based on experience alone.
Conlusion
The writer is a
person who is good at manipulating data and facts. Therefore we as a
prospective teacher should be good at sorting out which ones are true and which
ones are bad, we should be careful when giving history lessons to the students.
References:
1. Howard Zinn. A People’s History Of
The United States [Actually, the History of Corporatist FILTH : 1492-PRESENT
2. Howard Zinn, Anthropological off the shelf:
Speaking Truth to Power Book : 2005
3. Rusdi, Fakta Nyata Kebringasan Columbus Penemu Benua Amerika : 2013
4. Hadi, Nurfitri. Benarkah Columbus yang Pertama Melintasi Atlantik Menuju Amerika : 2013
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