DID ANYONE EVER READ "A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES" by HOWARD ZINN

I just began reading a book called "The People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn. I  tried reading it several  times, but put it down because I thought he was "deningrating " American heroes, heroes that I was taught to love way back in elementary school.

But, this time I forced myself to stick with it, I now find it fascinating. Our heroes were not so perfect. They killed, maimed and destroyed land all in the name of progress and attaining their primary goal--acquiring gold and territory for their rulers back home in Europe.

Chapter I is entitled "Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress."  "The Arawak men and women, emerged from their villages onto the island's beaches and swam out to get a closer look at the strange big boat that carried Columbus and his sailors."  The Arawaks ran to greet them, brought them food, water, gifts while Columbus and his crew carried swords. Later on he wrote of this in his log:  "They brought us all sorts of foods and gifts. They did not bear arms and do not know them. They are well built. ...They would make fine servants.....With fifty men  we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want."  "When we read the history books given to children in the USA, it all starts with heroic adventure--there is no bloodshed--and Columbus Day is a celebration." Really, I feel so disappointed! I liked Columbus. Perhaps, we must remember that man is not perfect. 

"Thus began the history, five hundred years ago, of the European invasion of the Indian settlements in the Americas."  "What Columbus did to the Arawaks of the Bahamas, Cortes did to the Aztecs of Mexico, Pizzario to the Incas of Peru, and the English settlers of Virginia and Massachusetts to the Powhatans and Pequots."  It is very sad when one thinks about it. There was active genocide of the Indian people during the beginnings of America. Now the Indians live on reservations, many of them impoverished, alcoholism abounds, children poorly educated. Is that's all we can offer these people whose land we stole and  peoples and cultures we destroyed. 

Zinn says that we must not in telling history, accuse, judge, condemn Columbus in absentia.  It is too late for that; it would  be a useless scholarly exercise in morality.  But the easy acceptance of atrocities as a deplorable but necessary price to pay for progress (Hiroshim and Vietnam, to save Western civilization, Kronstadt and Hungary, to save socialism; nuclear proliferation, to save us all)--that is still with us.

The treatment of heroes (Columbus) and their victims (the Arawaks)--the quiet acceptance of conquest and murder in the name of progress--is only one aspect of a certain approach to history, in which the past is told from the point of view of governments, conquerors, diplomats, leaders. 

All this is so very interesting!

In the name of progress we annilhilate races, enslave peoples....so sad....It is my opinion that it is in man's innate nature to kill. Just watch the evening news, its still going on.  Why, I don't know--Do they get pleasure out this, a sense of power, a feeling of control....

It gives one something to think ago! A must read for history buffs!