Source: Howard Zinn Papers, Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University
In an undated letter (probably in 1966), Zinn said that he would not allow the grades he gave to play a role in helping the United States wage immoral wars. He announced that for students with a moral opposition to the war...
By David Colapinto
Many people still remember that there was “something like a general strike” at Boston University (B.U.) in the Spring of 1979. If you attended B.U. or worked there that’s exactly what it felt like. Over 400 faculty members went on strike in April of 1979 after the B.U.…
Howard Zinn was the faculty adviser for the Boston University (BU) student newspaper, bu exposure. In 1977-78, the administration of John Silber demanded to review the contents of the paper before it was published and act as a censor. Zinn refused.
The Summer 2017 issue of Bostonia, the Boston University alumni magazine, features a profile of Zinn Education Project co-founder William Holtzman and the recent book drive undertaken in response to a proposed Zinn book ban in Arkansas.
“Howard’s calm, quiet insistence on doing what was right and taking a stand are lessons that have stayed with me for a lifetime.”
By David Detmer
"...his extraordinary gift for clear expression, perhaps the biggest factor leading to Zinn’s success as a teacher was his relaxed, friendly, good-humored, unthreatening manner. While he certainly offered a challenge to the beliefs of many of his students, which he accomplished by presenting ideas of deadly seriousness, he also did so with a light hand, and with plenty of wit and humor. He encouraged everyone, not only to participate in class discussions, but also to 'challenge authority' by disagreeing with him."
The "Howard Zinn, Our Favorite Teacher" Series collects stories from former students at Spelman College and Boston University about his role as a teacher. Here is one example, a story by Michael Stavros, Class of 1973. If you are a former student of Zinn, please contribute your story here.
[Boston University President John Silber’s] employees had difficulty getting raises in their wages or their benefits. In self-defense, they organized into unions: the faculty, the secretaries and staff, the librarians. And in 1979, with various grievances not met, all these groups, at different times, went out on strike. For the faculty, the provocation was the university reneging on a contract at first agreed to by its negotiating committee.
The Zinn Education Project is collecting personal remembrances from Zinn’s students at Spelman College in Atlanta and Boston University. The first stories were posted in August of 2013 in honor of what would have been Howard Zinn's 91st birthday.
Interview by Dave Zirin • May 2, 2009
Discussion ranges from the U.S. elections, the New Deal in the 1930s, the struggle for racial justice, equal marriage, and the need to recreate a socialist alternative.
Category: Articles & Interviews, Audio & Video, Interviews With Howard Zinn, Video About Howard Zinn Tags: Activism, Activist, American Empire, Barack Obama, Boston University, BU Five, Civil Rights Movement, Economics, FDR, Gay Marriage, George W. Bush, In the South, ISR, Labor, New Deal, Politics
Boston University
My Grades Will Not Be Instruments of War
Posted: April 26, 2020 by Howard Zinn Website
Source: Howard Zinn Papers, Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University
In an undated letter (probably in 1966), Zinn said that he would not allow the grades he gave to play a role in helping the United States wage immoral wars. He announced that for students with a moral opposition to the war...Category: Articles & Interviews, Articles by Howard Zinn, From the Archives Tags: Boston University, Education, From the Archives: Tamiment Library, Vietnam War
Who Were the “Boston University Five”?
Posted: February 19, 2019 by Howard Zinn Website
By David Colapinto
Many people still remember that there was “something like a general strike” at Boston University (B.U.) in the Spring of 1979. If you attended B.U. or worked there that’s exactly what it felt like. Over 400 faculty members went on strike in April of 1979 after the B.U.…
Category: Articles & Interviews, Articles about Howard Zinn Tags: Boston University, John Silber, strike
Howard Zinn and the bu exposure
Posted: October 3, 2017 by Howard Zinn Website
Category: Articles & Interviews, Articles about Howard Zinn, News Tags: Activism, Boston University, Student Activism
‘Bringing Zinn to Class’: Bostonia Features Zinn Education Project Cofounder and Arkansas Book Drive
Posted: July 14, 2017 by Howard Zinn Website
Category: Articles & Interviews, Articles about Howard Zinn, In the News, News Tags: Boston University, Education, In the News, Zinn Education Project
“Howard Zinn, Our Favorite Teacher” Series — Suzanne Baker
Posted: September 13, 2016 by Howard Zinn Website
Category: News, Tributes Tags: Activism, Boston University, Student Activism, Zinn Education Project
“Howard Zinn, Our Favorite Teacher” Series — David Detmer
Posted: August 17, 2016 by Howard Zinn Website
"...his extraordinary gift for clear expression, perhaps the biggest factor leading to Zinn’s success as a teacher was his relaxed, friendly, good-humored, unthreatening manner. While he certainly offered a challenge to the beliefs of many of his students, which he accomplished by presenting ideas of deadly seriousness, he also did so with a light hand, and with plenty of wit and humor. He encouraged everyone, not only to participate in class discussions, but also to 'challenge authority' by disagreeing with him."
Category: News, Tributes Tags: Boston University, Zinn Education Project
“Howard Zinn, Our Favorite Teacher” Series
Posted: January 18, 2016 by Howard Zinn Website
Category: News, Tributes Tags: Boston University, Zinn Education Project
Strike at Boston University
Posted: April 9, 2015 by Howard Zinn Website
Category: Articles & Interviews, Articles by Howard Zinn Tags: Activism, Boston University, Excerpts
Howard Zinn, Our Favorite Teacher: Memories from Former Students
Posted: August 20, 2013 by Howard Zinn Website
Category: News Tags: Boston University, Education, Spelman College, Zinn Education Project
‘You have to go beyond capitalism’: Dave Zirin Interviews Howard Zinn
Posted: May 2, 2009 by Howard Zinn Website
Discussion ranges from the U.S. elections, the New Deal in the 1930s, the struggle for racial justice, equal marriage, and the need to recreate a socialist alternative.
Category: Articles & Interviews, Audio & Video, Interviews With Howard Zinn, Video About Howard Zinn Tags: Activism, Activist, American Empire, Barack Obama, Boston University, BU Five, Civil Rights Movement, Economics, FDR, Gay Marriage, George W. Bush, In the South, ISR, Labor, New Deal, Politics