Our Favorite Teacher Series

Howard Zinn taught at Spelman College and Boston University where he had an extraordinary influence on his students’ understanding of history and their role in the world. The “Howard Zinn: Our Favorite Teacher” series highlights Zinn’s lasting impact as a professor.

Paul George’s Reflections

In my junior year at Boston University in the fall of 1969, I had the great honor to be enrolled in “GO306.” It was a four-credit government course called “Civil Liberties” taught by the one and only incredible and inimitable Howard Zinn. I vividly and fondly remember his wry smile, the gleam in his eye, and the electricity flowing through the classroom the moment he came through the door. As I recall, there were only about 50 students officially enrolled, yet in every class — and class began at 8 am — students showed up out of the woodwork, just to experience Zinn’s presence and style.

It seemed like hundreds of students crammed the classroom to unofficially audit the class. Wall-to-wall people, standing room only. What an experience! I have my official transcripts to prove I was enrolled. It was a time and an era that cannot adequately be described. There was a certain spirit in the air that has never been duplicated since . . . .

Thank you, Professor Zinn. You have no idea how many seeds you have planted.

Howard Zinn taught at Spelman College and Boston University where he had an extraordinary influence on his students’ understanding of history and their role in the world. This series highlights Zinn’s lasting impact as a professor. Read more stories and submit your own.