Goodbye Howard Zinn! Goodbye J.D. Salinger! Hello you? Yes you!
28th January, 2010 - Posted by Maude -
Maude’s old friend Howard Zinn crossed over unexpectedly this week. He was 87. The NY Times put up an obituary for him here. Even better is an obituary piece by The Guardian here. And if you want more depth and less reading check this video by GRITtv and Laura Flanders.
One of Howard’s most important contributions is probably his classic and compelling book A People’s History of the United States. Do yourself a favor - buy it. Read it. If you’ve already read it, read it again. This is a good time. Howard was an inspiration to many people - Matt Damon, Bruce Springsteen, Maude! His message was simple - over and over he told us that people have the power, but only if we use it. Howard implored people to stand up for themselves and take back their power. Howard knew first hand the consequences of taking a stance. Howard grew up in poverty, fought in WWII, lived in rat infested quarters as he worked his way through college as a pipe-fitter, ditch digger and brewery worker, after joining the faculty at the all black women’s college Spellman College where he was fired for insubordination. He went on to ideological wrestling with the president of Boston College during his tenure there.
Howard spoke the truth and changed the view of history. He took action, suffered consequences and encouraged other to do the same. And he also enjoyed the fruits of his labor. He helped changed the world for good, for the people. In 2005 Howard was invited back to Spellman and gave this speech that became an inspiration to millions after it was posted on line. For all things Howard check his own website here.
A few of Howard’s encouraging words:
“Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide, and slavery - have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience.”
“Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience. Our problem is that people all over the world have obeyed the dictates of leaders…and millions have been killed because of this obedience…Our problem is that people are obedient allover the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves… (and) the grand thieves are running the country. That’s our problem.”
“If those in charge of our society - politicians, corporate executives, and owners of press and television - can dominate our ideas, they will be secure in their power. They will not need soldiers patrolling the streets. We will control ourselves.”
And our favorite,
“We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
Interestingly, J.D. Salinger took his leave this week as well at the age of 91. Salinger spoke to us much less directly than Zinn, letting his groundbreaking works of fiction speak for him. Known for being a recluse, Salinger still had some important things to say to us. Seriously, if you somehow managed not to read his classic Catcher in the Rye, now is absolutely the time to read it. If you read it as a teenager, as many of us old folks did, now is a great time to re-read it!
Here are a few of Salinger’s memorable quotes to inspire you:
“Among other things, you’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You’re by no means alone on that score, you’ll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You’ll learn from them–if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It’s a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn’t education. It’s history. It’s poetry.”
“I’m sick of just liking people. I wish to God I could meet somebody I could respect.”
“It’s funny. All you have to do is say something nobody understands and they’ll do practically anything you want them to.”
“The most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid.”
What do these men have to teach us? What sets them apart from you? Both of them channeled their gifts into the world. Both of them gave to the world what they had to give. And the world is better off for it. Imagine if they hadn’t. Imagine if they’d live with a gnawing feeling that they should be doing something more but backed away from it. Where would be now without what they gave the world?
Now ask yourself - what are you here to give? Are you giving it? Are you the J.D. Salinger of your generation? Do hordes of young readers anxiously await your revelations? Are you another Howard Zinn? Are people hungry for your truthful words that spur them to empowered action? Or even more likely, are you yourself? Are you here for your own task that is no less important to the world.
How can we honor those who gave so much, inspiring and uplifting us? By being absolutely ourselves, of course!
In honor of Howard Zinn or J.D. Salinger please consider a donation of your own, in their memory, of whatever you are here to give. Don’t hold back the very best you have to give. We need you! The world needs you! But even more, you need you!
Are you holding back a poem? short story? novel? painting? speech? garden? store? service? Take one step towards whatever it is and you may find yourself blessing yourself, blessing others, and receiving serendipity to move forward. Try it!
Now is the time. Explore yourself. Reach out. Take a chance. Get hurt even. This is your life. And you are HERE.
Tags: alive, Be Here Now, Celebrating Life, Friends of Maude, Nourish Your Spirit
Posted on: January 28, 2010
Filed under: Friends of Maude, Nourish Your Spirit, Uncategorized
1 Comment
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