Introduction
This paper is critical review of the article
titled 'speaking truth to power with book' written by Howard Zinn and contained
in chapter 2 Anthropology off the Shelf book edited by Alise Waterson and Maria
D. Vesperi published by Blackwell Publishing in 2009. Every work of history, according to Howard Zinn, is a
political document. Through the article also he tries to
enlighten people and until people know his spectacular book “A
People’s History of the United States”. Zinn is an author, social
activist, American historian, political scientist and also the anti war. In his article, Zinn sees Columbus as the vice versa
of people paradigm. Howard Zinn through his article was successful to make
people sceptical of Columbus and history about The United States of America.
Summary
There are several prominent things that Zinn wrote on Columbus. First,
Zinn saw Columbus in the vice versa of people paradigm, that Columbus is a murderer, a torturer, a kidnapper, a
mutilator of native people, a hypocrite, and greedy man. Not hero at all. Even
though his writing make people become upset and shock. Zinn also show that he
on the loser perspective. Second, what Zinn wrote is about people consciousness toward History
of the United States of America especially reveals who is Columbus. Despite the consequences
are he gets a lot
of protests and perceived that he was
a communist by
many people. Third, Zinn consider that giving people certain
information about one situation may lead them to look for what else has been
concealed from them.
Main Body
There is still several things are abstained on Zinn’s article on
Columbus. First, Zinn does not provide a
clear reference about his writing on Columbus. It is very contradictive when Zinn writes about the truth of Columbus.
Too reckless to done by a Howard Zinn to write about who is Christopher Columbus. Ideally he
should keep what he had in his
country's history because people also do not know what must be trusted.
Even when the writing by Zinn
about Columbus is wrong or
right is not necessarily the truth. It will only make a change in the social
and political circumstances.
Which is the most
negative reactions and ridicule, because
the American people already believe that Columbus
is a hero,
and discover. However, if we look back at the tradition of writing a reference, it is actually a relatively new thing.
It happened in a
book written about the crusade of Henry Treece,
and he also
does not use any
reference. The book marked
the 1960s. Zinn might
get into the old
school class.
Second, Zinn does not mention who discovered
the American continent for the first time and thus making the reader curious. Not like Samuel Elliott that
writes about Columbus clearly because Elliot explains more about Columbus’s
merits. Something that make wonder is when Zinn as an anti-war
instead write to attack
his own country with his powerful writing. Zinn seeks to present American history through the eyes of the common people rather than political
and economic elites. A People's History has been assigned as reading in
many high schools and colleges across the United States. It has also resulted
in a change in the focus of historical work, which now includes stories that
previously were ignored.
Third, Zinn abstains in
mention merits of
Columbus. Appropriately, a historian should look
at the details toward something.
It is a very brave decision
when Zinn said that Columbus is a crook. It is also an ideology that is always
inseparable. Columbus and what is described by Zinn is not comparable to the merits provided by Columbus to the civilization that existed in America particularly. Whereas Columbus at least instrumental in finding Europe with all he had. And therefore also the European nation could use all that is in America. Civilization and science began when Columbus came there. Although in a way that is not good. like most of the invaders were killed natives. Zinn has very noble
desires. Moreover he always put a message
of peace, and happiness. However, Zinn was not
in the line which will deviate what he
had to say. Zinn looks very cynical with
the history of his own country.
For the majority of reviewers on Amazon.com (381, as of February 2004), A
People’s History has the force and authority of revelation. “Zinn
single-handedly initiated a Copernican revolution in historicism,” writes
“eco-william” from Oregon. Others rave about his “compassion and eye for
detail” and proclaim the survey “a top contender for greatest book ever
written.” Zinn’s admirers have a quick retort to conservatives who claim his
work is “biased.” Writes “culov” from Anaheim: “The book is purposely meant to be biased. It tells the story of
American history from the point of view of ‘the losers’ because we all know
that the winners write history. If you want something written from George
Washington’s point of view, go buy a textbook those are as biased as possible.”
Forth, Indirectly, Zinn attack his
own state, in the very distinctive way. Someone literate can change the world
of paradigm toward Columbus. What in Howard Zinn’s perspective toward Columbus
is not part of Zinn as the anti-war. An anti-war movement (also antiwar) is a social
movement, usually in opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or
carry on an armed conflict, unconditional of a maybe-existing just cause. The term can also refer to pacifism, which is the opposition to
all use of military force during conflicts. Many activists distinguish between
anti-war movements and peace movements. Anti-war activists work
through protest and other grassroots means to attempt to pressure
a government (or governments) to put an end to a particular war or conflict.
Conclusions
Although what Zinn writes is about
history, but it including political documents. Zinn’s view about Columbus that
can persuade many people to believe with him seems not perfect. He makes the
reader become sceptic and suspicious, because he
abstain in provide some data and reference. Despite Zinn say himself as an
anti-war, but Zinn’s article that say Christopher Columbus as a murderer,
mutilator, kidnapper, rapist, can ignite the flames of conflict and war. This should not happen by a Howard Zinn. He was
attacking his own club. However, His
message has certainly been heard. With his article also we know his book A
People’s History of the United State may be the most popular work of history an
American leftist has ever written. And know how to make people consciousness with book. A final word, every writer never be neutral, but they can be balanced.
Refference
§ History is a weapon http://www.historyisaweapon.com/zinnapeopleshistory.html taken on March 12th 2014 at 07.00 pm
§ Columbus http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Zinn/Columbus_PeoplesHx.html taken on March 14th 2014 at 08.00 pm
§ Christoper Columbus http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Christopher_Columbus diunduh taken on March 14th 2014 at 08.00 pm
§ Howard Zinn dan Sejarah
Orang-Orang Kalah
http://jakartabeat.net/kolom/konten/howard-zinn-dan-sejarah-orang-orang-kalah taken on March 22nd 2014 at 08.00 pm
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