Howard Zinn spoke about the United States as occupied territory. He said that political and ideological power have been seized by a small group of radical anti-democratic ideologues. They have pursued an illegal, unconstitutional effort in their disastrous drive to solidify their reactionary agenda.
Howard Zinn was a historian, author, professor, playwright, and activist. He taught political science at Boston University and wrote more than 20 books, including his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United States. Zinn died suddenly in January 2010. He was about to give two major talks in Santa Monica, CA. He grew up in Brooklyn in a working-class, immigrant household. At 18 he became a shipyard worker and then joined the Air Force and flew bombing missions during World War II. These experiences helped shape his opposition to war and his strong belief in the importance of knowing history.
Zinn spoke on October 17, 2006, for NOWAR, the Northwestern University Peace Project. Thanks to Dale Lehman at WZRD for the recording.