December 14, 2009 at 20:56:01
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Howard Zinn Talks with OpEdNews about "The People Speak"
By Joan Brunwasser (about the author) Page 1 of 2 page(s)
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Welcome to OpEdNews, Howard. Your documentary "The People Speak" aired last night on the History Channel. I was hoping to give our readers a bit of the backstory about this project. But, "The People Speak" and its precursor, A People's History of the United States , are themselves the backstory of American history. Would you like to speak about that?
Howard Zinn
Okay, Joan, let me try to summarize the history behind last night's screening of "The People Speak."
About ten years ago, Fox Television approached me about the idea of doing a series of feature films based on episodes from my book A People's History of The United States. They knew the book was selling more and more copies each year, and Matt Damon had plugged it in the film Good Will Hunting, in which Ben Affleck had co-starred, and which had been produced by Chris Moore. The idea was that Matt and Ben and Chris and myself would work together on a TV mini-series. It turned out to be too ambitious, too unwieldy an idea. Another network took it up for a while, then gave up on it. It lay fallow for some years until Chris Moore, about three years ago, approached me with the idea that he would produce it, not as a feature film, but as a documentary. In the meantime, Anthony Arnove and I had co-edited a companion volume to A People's History: a collection of about two hundred documents -- speeches, memoirs, poems, songs, snatches of literature, based on the principle of history from the bottom up that had animated A People's History.
The format, of having actors reading historical documents, had worked for us in 2003, when my publisher wanted to celebrate the millionth copy sold of A People's History, and we enlisted actors and artists to read from the stage of the 92nd St. Y in New York -- James Earl Jones reading Frederick Douglass, Marisa Tomei reading the reminiscence of a New England mill girl in the 1930s, Danny Glover reading the protest of a black Georgia legislator being expelled from the legislature after the Civil War, Kurt Vonnegut reading Mark Twain opposing the Philippine war and Eugene Debs opposing World War I, Alice Walker reading the words of the Mississippi sharecropper Fannie Lou Hamer, and more.
The reaction of the audience to this was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. We then held a series of live performances of readings in cities around the country, mainly organized by Anthony Arnove and myself. About two years ago, we assembled a group of actors to do readings in Boston at the beautiful Emerson Majestic Theater. Viggo Mortensen, Josh Brolin, the poet Martin Espada, Marisa Tomei, Danny Glover, the Broadway actors Harris Yulin and Kathleen Chalfant, the young actress Q'orianka Kilcher, the singers John Legend and Allison Moorer, the performance artist StaceyAnn Chin, rapper, and others.
There were four performances recorded on camera, which became the basis for "The People Speak." Other readers were recorded in other parts of the country: Sean Penn, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman. And more songs were recorded, by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder. The History Channel decided to take it on -- a very important development, and we then produced a 90-minute version which they showed last night (Dec. 13) at 8 PM Eastern. There will be a two-hour DVD coming out in January.
part of "The People Speak" crew
What a project! I understand that the documentary shown last night was culled from a whopping 96 hours of recorded material.
The Spanish philosopher George Santayana said many years ago, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." In a way, "The People Speak" takes that thought and flips it on its head. Because, when we learn [from your books and the film] that ordinary people worked together over our history to bring about change, we can emulate that history-changing activism to set America back on course now . Was that the motivation, or part of it, behind your work?
Absolutely. I wrote A People's History coming out of my own experience in the southern movement against racial segregation and in the movement against the war in Vietnam. I had seen the possibility of ordinary people building a movement that could change official policy and I knew the history of such movements was absent from our textbooks and culture. In making this film, we wanted that history to speak to our present situation, to encourage people to become active, to show that supposedly powerless people can have power if they organize, if they persist.
The Declaration of Independence plays a starring role in "The People Speak." What do we gain from a re-reading of that text?
The Declaration of Independence plays a starring role in "The People Speak." What do we gain from a re-reading of that text?
Okay, the Declaration of Independence: important because it is a radical statement about one of the most important issues in political philosophy, the relationship between the government and the people. Its radicalism (superseded after the Revolution by the conservative, law-and-order Constitution) leads it to be overlooked, hung on classroom walls and reproduced on July 4th in newspapers but its ideas ignored.
[It was] even considered dangerous -- as when, during the Vietnam war, an army lieutenant tacked the Declaration to his barracks wall and was ordered to take it down. It says that governments are secondary, and people are primary, that governments are artificial creations, set up by the people to achieve certain ends (equality, life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness) and when governments "become destructive of these ends" it is "the right of the people to alter or abolish" the government.
That's revolutionary. It is democratic in the true sense of the word, a manifesto for civil disobedience, appropriate for mobilizing a population for war against an oppressor, but to be discarded once the war is won and the new leaders want stability. [It is also] egalitarian.
One of the producers, Matt Damon, was once your next door neighbor; another, Josh Brolin, read A People's History as a teenager; someone at the History Channel was one of your former students. In addition, many of the musicians and actors had also read A People's History and eagerly signed onto the project. Your classroom has expanded way beyond a mere four walls on a college campus. And your book has been around for long enough to touch succeeding generations of Americans. Did you ever imagine having such an impact when you first began teaching sixty-some years ago?
p.r. for "The People Speak"
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No, I didn't imagine any of what has happened. I envisioned and hoped for an influence on my students (thousands over the years) and on thousands of people who read my books and articles. But I didn't count on A People's History having the effect it did, with an ever-widening circle of repercussions.
Let's see if one of those repercussions from last night's program is getting people off their duffs and out in the public forum, speaking out and working for change.
Starting in 1980 with A People's History , you have consistently tapped a deep well of interest on the part of the public. That seminal book has sold over 2 million copies, half since 2003. And I know you have been inundated by emails in response to the program last night, which is also a good sign.
Ignorance of our history inevitably leads to powerlessness and apathy. On the other hand, looking at what ordinary people have accomplished, fighting for social justice and change, is empowering. Your more inclusive version of history gives us the confidence to try to make a difference ourselves. What a great message at a critical time in our history. It's truly been an pleasure speaking with you, Howard. Over the years, you've taught so many of us about our history. Thank you. And good luck with this wonderful project!
Howard's website
Let's see if one of those repercussions from last night's program is getting people off their duffs and out in the public forum, speaking out and working for change.
Starting in 1980 with A People's History , you have consistently tapped a deep well of interest on the part of the public. That seminal book has sold over 2 million copies, half since 2003. And I know you have been inundated by emails in response to the program last night, which is also a good sign.
Ignorance of our history inevitably leads to powerlessness and apathy. On the other hand, looking at what ordinary people have accomplished, fighting for social justice and change, is empowering. Your more inclusive version of history gives us the confidence to try to make a difference ourselves. What a great message at a critical time in our history. It's truly been an pleasure speaking with you, Howard. Over the years, you've taught so many of us about our history. Thank you. And good luck with this wonderful project!
Howard's website
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Joan Brunwasser is a co-founder of Citizens for Election Reform (CER) which since 2005 existed for the sole purpose of raising the public awareness of the critical need for election reform. Our goal: to restore fair, accurate, transparent, secure (more...)
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
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Replies
Amelia,
Alert, I listened to Alfred Spinny's death threat wow! That is getting pretty nasty, she is maintaining and now wants to purchase? She is not suppose to be there maintaining, if that is the case. Where is his lawyer's on this?
How did Keanu Sai get entangled into this? It seems to me this is personal and different from de-occupation, but I might be wrong. At this moment I am just reacting. Who is Mclaughlin? This sounds like the old pilgrims, Indians--Texas-Mexican war. Good grief.
hi Kaohi,
Spinney got yet another threat>............who is the she that you're talking about?
Keanu is the one who started the suit based on his perspective as Hawaiian Islands being under military rule..............
the reality is, that belligerent occupation, premeditation, piracy(ies) are what is is...... the U.S, England/ Great Britain with their investing Morgan bankers were PARTNERS IN CRIME, and the military is merely their arm to their CRIMINAL Activities, Piracy(ies) of the ages....
Sai appears to be a helper in making everyone think that it is a military rule.....but it really is belligerence, criminal activities against a neutral, non violet, friendly nation, and they have gone out of their way to PLUNDER UPON INNOCENTS in our Hawaiian Islands, big, belligerent bully who have BREACHED the Law of Nations......which is why everyone in the World needs to watch the U.S., who is but a "colony of the Crown (of England)" , England/Great Britain, the aggressive supporters, PARASITES known as their military, the Morgan bankers, the international bankers including the Bank of England, AND the VATICAN banks as well!!!
Leuren Moret just posted to read the following article at the following link pertaining to the Vatican bank Scandal.............after you read the article, notice that Wikileaks has more on the Pope and his Army of perverted priests.....lol.....reminder that the Vatican, U.S., England, bankers, et. als. are part of the 1822 Secret Treaty of Verona moving towards ONE WORLD ORder/nEW WORLD ORDER!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101211/ap_on_re_eu/eu_vatican_god_s_bankers
****************
hoping to see Leuren Moret soon.........she hasn't responded yet........otherwise e-mails will continue.
aloha.
As I am reading, I am listening to "Smiling fAces" I think it's funny! but appropriate.. Did you listen to Spinneys voice video. It is pretty bad!
I also watched Lauren Moret too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z7m7dojO3M
******************************
aloha.
It is pretty disturbing about what Leuren Moret found out in her research.....the fact that Japan tried to surrender BEFORE the Atomic bombs were made..........the U.S. did not allow it and still moved to complete the bombs to use on Japan even though......
The following came out of the IOLANI - The Royal Hawk news on the web Issue No. 53:
Repost of article:
NUCLEAR WEAPONS SCIENTISTS
In 1939, many of the worlds geniuses were gathered by and in the
United States to produce nuclear weapons and giving the United States
"overwhelming military and technological supremacy".
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt desired Great Britain's Winston
Churchill's assist in concentrating "all the work of both American and
British research teams in the Western Hemisphere – Canada and the
United States."
A "special intelligence organization, code-named 'Alsos'" scoured "all
the liberated territories for scientists and evidence of technological
progress, or the lack of it, in Germany."
Some of the scientists joined readily, others were captured "members
of Germany's Uranium Society" who were taken into military custody.
The Project became known as the Manhattan Project, under U.S. General
Groves, who "pressured his scientists into greater and ever greater
efforts."
The Manhattan Project was under "the cloaks of military security and
secrecy, under the overlordship of the Military Policy Committee."
The following scientists are documented:
Albert Einstein – Germany
Enrico Fermi – Italy
Niels Bohr – Denmark
Samuel Goudsmit – Holland
Victor Weisskopf – Austria
Leo Szilard – Hungary
Edward Teller – Hungary
Frederic Joliot-Curie – France
Werner Heisenberg – German (offered a professorship to remain in America, he
Declined at first – captured by allied troops and enlisted)
Eugene Wigner
Otto Hahn – Germany (captured by allied troops and enlisted)
Max von Laue – Germany, also a Nobel prizewinner (captured by allied troops and
Enlisted)
Bush (research incomplete as to any relationship to GW Bush and family)
Many of the above opposed the use of the atomic bomb. Leo Szilard
tried to prevent "the Americans from using the devastating weapon on
Japan, the sole remaining enemy. As he admitted later: "During 1943
and part of 1944 our greatest worry was the possibility that Germany
would perfect an atomic bomb before the invasion of Europe…In 1945,
when we ceased worrying about what the Germans might do to us, we
began to worry about what the government of the United States might do
to other countries."
"Niels Bohr had interviews with Roosevelt and Churchill, and later
reported that he had been treated as if he were a child; Leo Szilard,
unable to reach President Truman after Roosevelt's death, had to
settle for James Byrnes, future Secretary of State."
"The scientists were politely invited to return to their laboratories
and drawing boards and leave politics to the politicians. The panel
of scientific advisers appointed to guide the United States' Chief
Executive were not called upon to advise whether the atom bomb should
be used at all but how it should be used. The genie would not go back
into the bottle."
Reference: THE AMERICAN EMPIRE (1968) by Amaury de Riencourt, The Dial Press,
Inc.
Aloha.
*Advertisements
GREG WONGHAM hosted the show CORRUPTION IN HAWAII on OLELO TV.
http://www.the-catbird-seat.net/IndonesianConnection.htm
http://www.the-catbird-seat.net/GE.htm
http://www.the-catbird-seat.net/BrokenTrust.htm
http://www.greaterthings.com/News/Clinton-Scandals/Riadi-Hawaiian_L...
Greg states that "the number-one purveyor of broadcast news in this
country-- NBC, with both MSNBC and CNBC under its wing, as well as NBC
news and a variety of "news magazines"-- is now owned and controlled
by General Electric, one of the nation's largest defense contractors.
Is it not significant that as GE's various media subsidiaries
predictably lined up to cheerlead the use of U.S. military force in
Kosovo, it was at the same time posting substantial profits from the
sale of the high tech tools of modern warfare it so shamelessly
glorifies?...
~ ~ ~
"You know the one thing that is wrong with this country? Everyone gets
a chance to have their fair say."
-- President William J. Clinton
~ ~ ~
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in
the major media."
-- Former CIA Director William Colby
~ ~ ~
For more on THE MEDIA, GO TO > > > Parrots in the News Room
For more on THE MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, GO TO > > > Nests in the Pentagon
------------------------------
FOR MORE CONNECTED NESTS, FLY TO...
ALOHA, HARKEN ENERGY!
A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
BIRDS IN THE LOBBY
THE CARLYLE GROUP: BIRDS THAT DRINK FROM CESSPOOLS
CROUCHING DRAGONS ~ HIDDEN RATS
DIRTY GOLD IN GOLDMAN SACHS
DIRTY MONEY, DIRTY POLITICS & BISHOP ESTATE
GOING POSTAL AT CONSIGNIA
NASA ... AND THE WAR ON TRUTH
NESTS IN THE PENTAGON
PREDATORS IN PARADISE
SONGS OF THE DRUG VULTURES
THE EAGLE AWAKES
THE INDONESIAN CONNECTION
THE NUCLEAR NESTS
THE NESTS OF OSAMA BIN LADEN
THE SINKING OF THE EHIME MARU
VULTURES OF THE SANDWICH ISLES
YAKUZA DOODLE DANDIES
YEAR OF THE DRAGON "
*****
Greg Wongham continues his fine work exposing FRAUD, CORRUPTION,
CRIMINAL DEVIANCE, taking care of the issues of many, continuing his
ancestors work....he is one of the heirs of Kamehameha.
check out the links and sister groups....i found those fascinating and
awestruck at many other researchers whose work must not go unnoticed.
aloha.
ps. GE / General Electric plays a significant role in the OIL concerns
and the PLUNDERING UPON INNOCENTS in the Middleeast and elsewhere.
General Electric is the "umbrella" over NBC and many other
organizations.
http://www.johnkaminski.com
http://www.davidicke.com
http://www.gregpalast.com
http://www.larouchepub.com
http://www.rense.com
http://www.michaelmoore.com
http://www.truthout.com
http://www.twf.org
http://www.WantToKnow.info/050226fredburkswsj
http://www.WantToKnow.info
http://www.weboflove.org
http://www.momentoflove.org
http://www.bilderberg.org
http://www.malu-aina.org
http://maluaina.pitas.com
http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/GORA8037
IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-IO-
The Claim to PEARL HARBOR IS A FRAUD...........the Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estates, a criminal racketeering entity did claim to transfer interest to the U.S. and participated in the criminal deeds, etc..,.,..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWoNDxjOksM
*******************
always remember the TRUTH about Pearl Harbor and review the four (4) above recent youtube.com films interviewing with Leuren Moret.
aloha.
p.s. pretty nervy for the criminals who perpetuate their ancestors wrongs to continue the tourism business even though the TRUTH says much about the belligerent occupiers. All in the World needs to know,.........even though the Japanese are are record for killing more than a million Chinese, etc..,,,,,,,,,even though they tried to surrender multiples of times.....
amelia,
Zinn and Noam can be great friends when one wants some company in my head. When Zinn past in Jan of this year, I was a bit distraught. So I read through some of his essays from "the Zinn Reader" Writings on Disobedience and Democracy--was that a lot of fun especially after the fiascol at Hilo University over the Depleted Uranium, Stryker Brigade, and contaminating children at their school bus stops. Then, days later Jan 17, 2010 at the Iolani Palace--almost got arrested--ugh!
So, yes Zinn lives on in our hearts and minds. Thanks for the reminder of his existence.
hi Kaohi,
Okay, the Declaration of Independence: important because it is a radical statement about one of the most important issues in political philosophy, the relationship between the government and the people. Its radicalism (superseded after the Revolution by the conservative, law-and-order Constitution) leads it to be overlooked, hung on classroom walls and reproduced on July 4th in newspapers but its ideas ignored.
[It was] even considered dangerous -- as when, during the Vietnam war, an army lieutenant tacked the Declaration to his barracks wall and was ordered to take it down. It says that governments are secondary, and people are primary, that governments are artificial creations, set up by the people to achieve certain ends (equality, life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness) and when governments "become destructive of these ends" it is "the right of the people to alter or abolish" the government.
That's revolutionary. It is democratic in the true sense of the word, a manifesto for civil disobedience, appropriate for mobilizing a population for war against an oppressor, but to be discarded once the war is won and the new leaders want stability. [It is also] egalitarian.
One of the producers, Matt Damon, was once your next door neighbor; another, Josh Brolin, read A People's History as a teenager; someone at the History Channel was one of your former students. In addition, many of the musicians and actors had also read A People's History and eagerly signed onto the project. Your classroom has expanded way beyond a mere four walls on a college campus. And your book has been around for long enough to touch succeeding generations of Americans. Did you ever imagine having such an impact when you first began teaching sixty-some years ago?
p.r. for "The People Speak"
Page 2 of 2 page(s)
Become a Fan (12 fans)
opednews.com
Let's see if one of those repercussions from last night's program is getting people off their duffs and out in the public forum, speaking out and working for change.
Starting in 1980 with A People's History , you have consistently tapped a deep well of interest on the part of the public. That seminal book has sold over 2 million copies, half since 2003. And I know you have been inundated by emails in response to the program last night, which is also a good sign.
Ignorance of our history inevitably leads to powerlessness and apathy.