Source: Howard Zinn Papers, Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University • 1963
On February 11, 1963, at Emory University, Howard Zinn participated in a debate with Fulton Lewis III, a journalist and member of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) on whether HUAC should be abolished. Zinn noted this in his diary and the two-and-half hour event was recorded.
Bernard Rubin: What’s your definition of radical? Howard Zinn: Somebody who wants to do something to make very fundamental changes in the distribution of wealth, in the distribution of political power, and in a kind of culture of violence and oppression in which we exist today. Race, sex, class oppression, something that fundamental. That’s what I mean, I guess.
Elyse Luray: So why was there this renewed interest in the strike? Howard Zinn: I think that the movements of the 1960s, of Black people in the South, of women, of people all over the country working against the war in Vietnam, of disabled people, there arose out of those movements, a greater interest in history that had been neglected in the orthodox teachings of the past. I think as part of that new interest in people's history, we began to get more interest in labor history, and therefore in the history of the Lawrence Strike.
It’s time has come, the idea that war must be abolished. … When [Albert] Einstein said that in 1932, he was attending a conference in Geneva which was called a disarmament conference. Any time you see the words “disarmament conference,” be suspicious.…
On May 17, 1968 nine Vietnam War protesters, including a nurse, an artist and three priests, walked into a Catonsville, Maryland draft board office, grabbed hundreds of selective service records and incinerated them with homemade napalm.
The 45-minute documentary film, Investigation of a Flame, offers an intimate look at this unlikely, disparate band of resisters
On April 24, 1968, Howard Zinn introduced organizer Ella Baker at a dinner honoring her work. Zinn described Baker as "one of the most consequential and yet one of the least honored people in America."
Whitney Young Jr. (July 31, 1921 – March 11, 1971) was a civil rights leader and head of the National Urban League. In the documentary The Powerbroker (2013), Howard Zinn recalls working with Young on desegregation efforts in the South:
You can learn this from Whitney: that it’s possible to have an important post and still move out from that and join whatever movement is going on for social justice.…
In this editorial, Howard Zinn nominates Eartha Kitt for Woman of the Year and Dr. Benjamin Spock for Man of the Year because “both refused to play the game” by speaking out against the Vietnam War.
Excerpt:
We’ve become fanatic about the word communist and this is part of the game.…
Originally broadcast on “What’s Happening Mr. Silver?” on WGBH Boston, Howard Zinn lauds Eartha Kitt and Dr. Benjamin Spock for their public resistance and calls on everyone to actively resist and protest social injustice.
Audio & Video
Shall the House Committee on Un-American Activities Be Abolished?
Posted: January 15, 2021 by Howard Zinn Website
Source: Howard Zinn Papers, Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University • 1963
On February 11, 1963, at Emory University, Howard Zinn participated in a debate with Fulton Lewis III, a journalist and member of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) on whether HUAC should be abolished. Zinn noted this in his diary and the two-and-half hour event was recorded.Category: Audio & Video, Audio With Howard Zinn, Excerpts, From the Archives Tags: Activism, Committee on Un-American Activities
The First Amendment and A Free People Radio Show
Posted: January 8, 2021 by Howard Zinn Website
Source: WBGH Boston Open Vault • 1970s
Bernard Rubin: What’s your definition of radical?Howard Zinn: Somebody who wants to do something to make very fundamental changes in the distribution of wealth, in the distribution of political power, and in a kind of culture of violence and oppression in which we exist today. Race, sex, class oppression, something that fundamental. That’s what I mean, I guess.
Category: Articles & Interviews, Audio & Video, Audio and Video with Howard Zinn, Audio With Howard Zinn, From the Archives, Interviews With Howard Zinn Tags: First Amendment
Book TV: A People’s History of the United States
Posted: January 7, 2021 by Howard Zinn Website
Source: C-SPAN Book TV • 1999
In 1999, Howard Zinn spoke at the San Francisco Bay Area Book Festival sharing what prompted him to write A People's History of the United States.Category: Audio & Video, From the Archives, Video With Howard Zinn
History Detectives: Howard Zinn on the Lawrence Textile Strike
Posted: January 6, 2021 by Howard Zinn Website
Source: PBS History Detectives • 2006
Elyse Luray: So why was there this renewed interest in the strike?Howard Zinn: I think that the movements of the 1960s, of Black people in the South, of women, of people all over the country working against the war in Vietnam, of disabled people, there arose out of those movements, a greater interest in history that had been neglected in the orthodox teachings of the past. I think as part of that new interest in people's history, we began to get more interest in labor history, and therefore in the history of the Lawrence Strike.
Category: Articles & Interviews, Audio & Video, Audio and Video About Howard Zinn, Audio and Video with Howard Zinn, From the Archives, Interviews With Howard Zinn Tags: PBS, Strikes
Howard Zinn: “War must be abolished”
Posted: March 2, 2020 by Howard Zinn Website
PART 1
Excerpt:
It’s time has come, the idea that war must be abolished. … When [Albert] Einstein said that in 1932, he was attending a conference in Geneva which was called a disarmament conference. Any time you see the words “disarmament conference,” be suspicious.…
Category: Audio & Video, Video With Howard Zinn Tags: George W. Bush, Holidays, Iraq, War
Investigation of a Flame (Film)
Posted: February 16, 2020 by Howard Zinn Website
Category: Audio & Video, Video With Howard Zinn Tags: Activism, Civil Disobedience, War
Ella Baker: “One of the most consequential and yet one of the least honored people in America”
Posted: October 27, 2019 by Howard Zinn Website
Source: American Radio Works
On April 24, 1968, Howard Zinn introduced organizer Ella Baker at a dinner honoring her work. Zinn described Baker as "one of the most consequential and yet one of the least honored people in America."Category: Audio & Video, Audio With Howard Zinn, From the Archives Tags: Activism, Activist, Essays and Speeches, SNCC
Howard Zinn Remembers Whitney Young Jr.
Posted: November 8, 2018 by Howard Zinn Website
Whitney Young Jr. (July 31, 1921 – March 11, 1971) was a civil rights leader and head of the National Urban League. In the documentary The Powerbroker (2013), Howard Zinn recalls working with Young on desegregation efforts in the South:
You can learn this from Whitney: that it’s possible to have an important post and still move out from that and join whatever movement is going on for social justice.…
Category: Audio & Video, Video With Howard Zinn Tags: Activism, In the South
Howard Zinn Guest Editorial (1968): “Refuse to play the game of silence in the midst of murder”
Posted: November 8, 2018 by Howard Zinn Website
In this editorial, Howard Zinn nominates Eartha Kitt for Woman of the Year and Dr. Benjamin Spock for Man of the Year because “both refused to play the game” by speaking out against the Vietnam War.
Excerpt:
We’ve become fanatic about the word communist and this is part of the game.…
Category: Audio & Video, Video About Howard Zinn Tags: American Empire, Politics, Vietnam War
Howard Zinn Lauds Eartha Kitt and Dr. Benjamin Spock for Their Resistance (1968)
Posted: March 5, 2018 by Howard Zinn Website
Originally broadcast on “What’s Happening Mr. Silver?” on WGBH Boston, Howard Zinn lauds Eartha Kitt and Dr. Benjamin Spock for their public resistance and calls on everyone to actively resist and protest social injustice.
What’s Happening Mr. Silver? • 1968
…Category: Audio & Video, Video With Howard Zinn Tags: Activist, Politics, Vietnam War