My first time I met Howard Zinn was in 2002 a few months after 9/11. I was making a film titled “Carpet of Gold, Carpet of Bombs” and got a chance to interview Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn one weekend in Boston. I remember when my partner and I decided that Zinn should be in the doc. we didnt know how to get a hold of him. We were both just finished with our undergrad. degrees and still trying to figure out how to put this film together. We did the most natural thing to do, call 411 under Boston for Zinn, Howard. We were surprised when we called the number and the MAN himself Howard Zinn answered the phone. A few weeks later we were flying out to Boston and got to interview him for a solid hour. (I have to find the footage somewhere and I’ll post it when i do) He was incredibly humble, funny, and full of lineage and history. I took pictures of his office like a crazed fan. After all he wrote the book that changed my academic life – The People’s History of United States of America. A must read if you haven’t picked that up. I practically switched majors and my whole direction I was going in school from that class and that book. Thank you Prof. Dick Flacks. Since reading that book I went on to his other book ” You Can’t Be Neutral On A Moving Train” and once again was inspired by one of the most influential people I was reading.
After I heard the news yesterday flying into Toronto from my friend Dan Sena, a rolodex of memories and information from my college years came rumbling back in my head. The first thing i thought of was where is that footage of that interview.. You know, we NEVER finished the film that we were making and we got some amazing interviews and footage during 9/11. I’ll make a second effort to find the footage now. Howard Zinn was one of the most important people in this century hands down. I’m so honored to have met him and been in his company. Zinn Lives On!
What an exciting story! You definitely have to get us that footage and maybe those photos too. I wish I had talked to him for longer, but I am so privileged to have met him at all. R.I.P. Howard Zinn.
P.S.
You may want to consider reading “Animal Rights, Human Rights” by David Nibert, my professor who set us up to meet Zinn.
steve thanks for that post! i love that he had a powerful effect on u too!!
my dad was highschool history teacher and started teaching a special class that used the ‘peoples history…’ as the textbook. it was so popular that it became a requisite for all juniors.
i think he’s living in utopia now….:)
xoxo
isla
win!
THANKS AOKI, I NEVER KNEW OF ZINN BUT HE SEEMS TO BE WHAT IM ALL ABOUT THANK YOU MUCH
I also read his book “A People’s History of the United States” and thus far it has been the most influential piece of literature in my college experience. You are very lucky to have spent time in his presence.
That book (people’s history) was out of control I own it and it’s staring at me right now. RIP Howard Zinn your brilliant writings and insight will live on in us History majors and fans forever
great story by the way! I can’t imagine if I got to interview him please find that footage! 