I have been reading Howard Zinn's People's History over the past month. Eye opening and instructive, it makes one aware of the struggle from inception this country has been engaged in; for all to be treated with dignity and equality. From the relocation or slaughter of the Native tribes to indentured Africans, abused Irish and others not of Anglo-Saxon descent or the upper class, the history is maddeningly sad. It may evoke a surprised response from the newly educated (in hearing a "complete" history), but to those of us on in years we simply acknowledge the repetition, shaking our heads, and cave in frustration at the utter disdain one set of humans can have for another. Why should we believe it will ever be any different?
So history is now. As I read Zinn's accounts of published opinions and rally cries of the past, I know that they could be and in fact are being written and expressed today. We have made certain progress on issues of acceptance, but the levers of society are still firmly in control of the monied class. The current economic mess is just more of the same. When will we ever learn?
So history is now. As I read Zinn's accounts of published opinions and rally cries of the past, I know that they could be and in fact are being written and expressed today. We have made certain progress on issues of acceptance, but the levers of society are still firmly in control of the monied class. The current economic mess is just more of the same. When will we ever learn?
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