When I said I would write about the memorial celebration of the life of Howard Zinn, my knowledge of Zinn was limited to titles typically associated with his name: historian, professor, civil rights and peace activist, author. It was with this shameful ignorance that I attended “A Celebration of the life of Howard Zinn” at Marsh Chapel Saturday afternoon, where a people’s history of his life unfolded. Friends, colleagues and students spoke about their memories of Howard Zinn, patching together the story of his life as one guided by unfaltering beliefs . What I learned are lessons from one of the greatest history books – Howard Zinn’s life.
The event began with remarks by Boston University President Robert Brown, who acknowledged Zinn’s “downright tumultuous relationship with BU”, marked by several attempts by Zinn to oust former BU President John Silber.
Lesson #1: Be not afraid of authority.
Following Brown, Francis Fox Piven, a professor of political science at CUNY and a longtime friend of Zinn, spoke. She said that Zinn should be remembered for two things; He was a great historian and a happy man, two characteristics that were actually intertwined.”Being a political person was part of a good life,” she said.
Lesson #2: Political activism/fighting for a cause = keys for happiness.
Betty Zisk, professor of political science at BU, said that she and Zinn had different approaches to curriculum.”I was part of the peaceful, religious reform movement, and Howard was confrontational. I changed.”
“Howard was an activist because he was genuinely active. He was not just frequently giving speeches,” she said.
Lesson #3: Activists don’t sit at computers. They take action.
Between speakers, BU musicians Vikesh Kapoor played an original composition with acoustic guitar and harmonica and Spitzer Space Telescope played the appropriate “Joe Hill”, a 1960s folk tune. Both performances were powerful folk tributes fitting of Howard Zinn’s work during 1960s.
“Howard Zinn was the wisest commentator on public affairs I have ever met,” said David Lyons, BU professor of philosophy.”He was fearless.”He realized that change comes from the bottom up, said Lyons.
Mark Silverstein, a political science professor, said that he loved having an office next to Zinn, even though it could get a little crazy during his office hours. “The line for Howard’s office would stretch downstairs onto the second floor.”
Zinn always maintained a sense of humor, said Silverstein, including about his retirement.
“While they would never pay a dime to have me stay at BU, they are exceedingly generous in their efforts at getting me to leave,” Zinn said of his retirement package.
Lesson #4: A sense of humor is mandatory.
The most powerful reflection on Howard Zinn came from Ross Caputi, an undergrad and former soldier who after fighting at the Battle of Fallujah, said he felt like a terrorist. He said he felt alone and confused about and after initially turning to drugs and alcohol, Caputi randomly picked up a copy of “A People’s History of the United States.”
He said it changed his life because it showed the parallels between the Vietnam War and the Battle of Fallujah and helped him understand that what happened in Iraq was not unique.
“In a way he saved my life and thanks to him, I will never be on the wrong side again.”
Lesson #5: History is made by ordinary people.
joe hill was written in the 1930s. I wouldn’t call it a 1960s folk song, though it was performed by folk singers in the 1960s. Just a confusing thing to write.
Ross Caputi is one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. I witnessed much of his metamorphosis from confused vet to his speech at BU. It was his first, and got the only standing O of the day. He fought one war, and now he’s committed to fighting another one, this time the good fight.
Claude Maddox