I am heartbroken today for Howard Zinn, who I first fell in love with in high school when we used A People’s History of the United States in my US History Class.
Howard Zinn was a historian, playwright, and social activist. He strove to make public the unheard aspects history, the histories of the disenfranchised and ignored, and for that I am eternally grateful. I am grateful that I learned about this country through his carefully crafted and amazing lens. I am grateful that his many books existed for me to continue educating myself outside of the bounds of my formal education.
On a personal level, I knew Howard Zinn as a man who loves oysters, spinach and portobello mushroom quesadillas, and sam adam’s draft ale. I knew him through the squealing of joy that would occur throughout the staff at The Juice (a restaurant in Wellfleet, MA) when he walked through the doors, which was often. From servers to the chefs in the kitchen we all knew and loved him and would just die of joy if he showed up. I was lucky enough to serve him often, continuously reminding myself not to linger too long or listen in on his (often VERY interesting) conversations!
RIP..
Feministing, Thank You Thursdays: Howard Zinn
NYT, Howard Zinn, Historian, Dies at 87
