NO "VIVA" FOR HOWARD ZINN

-3^rd Critical Review-

INTRODUCTION

This paper offers a critical insight/perspective on Howard Zinn's article Entitled "Speaking Truth to Power with Books". As we have already heard about the propaganda Howard Zinn, American historian one of which is still debate in the society of the world. Zinn is the co-author of a history of Christopher Columbus who able to enchant millions of Americans through his book, he wrote the history of Columbus in different versions. He was able to change the paradigm of society to sensitize and spread the seeds of faith planted in his book, "A People's History of the United States". However, this article will talk about Zinn's work is still a polemic about the dogma presented in his writings.

SUMMARY

There are some basic points which can be seen on the real face of Columbus that written by Zinn, who previously understood which Columbus as a great discoverer, Columbus as a hero, and Columbus the pious Bible reader. But in his book, Zinn wrote down the other side of Columbus. First, the fact said that Columbus was not a discoverer, but a genocidal maniac, murderer, torture, Kidnapping, mutilator natives, wild. Second, Columbus did not actually discover India as its main purpose to sail, but he landed in America. Third, Zinn tells us that the purpose of Columbus came to the Americas in search of gold only. To killed many residents and Arawaks and Indians, and rape underage girls.

CRITIQUE
            In his writings, Zinn was able to world’s provocateur through his book. In his article, he always criticized each book read. So he dared to reveal the truth of American history, of Columbus. He was able to bend history in the paradigm, by placing Columbus as someone who does not have a conscience. Especially now, that Zinn had a lot of support from the results of his work, in academic circles. Purdue became one of the main of attention as supporting Zinn, he was willing to raise money for the fund and celebrate the work of controversial political scientist. However, in this discussion there are missing parts in writing to be found. There are four points on Columbus that are neglected in Zinn's article. First, Zinn hide the real Columbus’ identity. Second, the reason Columbus sailed to India. Third, Zinn did not write the history of the actual discoverer of the American continent. Fourth, Zinn did not explicitly take into account the goal of writing about Columbus.

            These four points above are some of the criticism that has accumulated in his writings, discussions about Columbus. In the first discussion, Zinn hide the real Columbus’ identity. Like what we already know about the history of Columbus, both in the article and in his book he is simply telling mistakes Columbus alone. Problems does, there is something going on why Columbus went sailing with a large ship accompanied by his crew. In fact, Columbus raped the daughter of a Spanish nobleman who was aged 13 years. Courts cannot decide he should be put to death. Occur in 1491 and a priest named Father Perez mediate on behalf of Columbus and Queen Isabella pleaded with Columbus to fund that, if he succeeds will be able to convert the native Christians, and finally Queen Isabella sent him on a mission to find a new continent (when it was the main purpose India is looking for) and with expectations, Columbus cannot go back. The trip was funded by the Queen of Castile Isabella Spain after the queen conquered Andalusia.

            Queen Isabella promised Columbus was governor of the island where he encountered. However, as an administrator he really incompetent, so it was dismissed and sent home to Spain with his hands shackled. However, when he got in Spain he was released just never given a post again. Outstanding issues that Columbus died in poverty without any funding whatsoever. Morals Columbus is not fully admired. He is famous miser. Nature is what caused him to face difficulties obtaining funding support from Queen Isabella because Columbus too revealing greed when bargaining. Also accused him of inappropriate-although according to the ethics of today's size - he treated the Indians with very cruel.

Zinn seems not openly explain this issue, he silent about mistakes Columbus from another viewpoint. He just focuses on the journey in Indian atrocities Columbus. As a historian, past peeling object discussed is paramount to determine the accuracy of data and to convince his readers. In the article "Speaking Truth to Power with Books", although he explained that" The book operates in many ways to change people's awareness" but without specifying the accuracy of the book, this will cause the majority of information that will ultimately lead to misunderstanding . History will be tied to the events of the past, of course, before he talked about the goal Columbus sailed to India which was the United States, Zinn had to know which one became the cause.

Second, the reason Columbus sailed to India. In his writings, Zinn shows only travel destination Columbus sailed to India. For this reason, Queen Isabella sent Columbus to go not only repel Columbus alone but there are other missions in the sailing departure. Technology controlled by the Portuguese during the 15^th century. Portuguese in the 15^th century by improving accuracy can calculate their position at sea with a combination of dead-reckoning in which the sailors will lay a compass course and estimate distance and observe every day- latitudes. In the field of technology, Portuguese inaugurated as Maritime invention of the 15^th century. But, they are not the only European country that is interested in the voyage of exploration. Of all the competition they face from the West, the Spaniards were by far the most powerful.

In fact, the constant development and refinement of maritime skill and ship design that allows Christopher Columbus to embark on his first voyage of discovery of the New World in 1492. Aware of marine innovation time, Columbus presented his plans to travel to the west to the Portuguese Crown. Rejected, Columbus turned support to Spain, where Queen Isabella and her husband funded counsel challenged the Columbus expedition. In this case to equalize between the Spanish and the Portuguese maritime discoveries, Columbus sailed to India. According to information, much before India has outstanding technology. For this reason, Columbus commissioned to sail to India.

In accordance with what was said Charles C. Mann in his book " 1491 : New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus", Indian technology was more impressive, such as moccasins, which were more comfortable and sturdy than the boots Europeans wore, and were preferred by most during that era because their padding offered a more silent approach to warfare. Canoes are another example of superior technology of the Indians: they could be rowed faster and were more maneuverable than any small European boats. Mann concludes that India is a "key type", which "affects the survival and abundance of other species". In fact, Portuguese and Spanish are both wanted to expand its territory to conquer the world and foreign trade with the mastery of technology.

In conclusion, Zinn less extract information what are the main objectives Columbus. In his book, he explained Columbus just looking for gold, and spices. When viewed in this era, the Spanish are very well known in his ambition to expand the territorial (pre -Columbian). Zinn who does have a military background, knows about Military history and war should have put a little insight on the political and military exploits Columbus. Therefore, Zinn was less able to connect the history of America in the pre-Columbus and Columbus era.

Third, Zinn did not write the history of the actual discoverer of the American continent. As explained in the first paragraph, Zinn remains a polemic article in explaining the history of Columbus. In fact, Columbus was not the actual discoverer. In the U.S. alone is still a debate, between Leif Ericson, the Vikings, Amerigo Vespucci and Admiral Zheng He, a Chinese Muslim who had never been exposed by the media. But lately Zheng became the center of attention by Gavin Menzies, as the actual discoverer of the American continent. In his book, "who discovered America?" Menzies many shows strong evidence about the journey as the explorer Zheng He as a map, compass and sailing ships as large as vehicles.

Zinn explanation regarding the news of Columbus seems are worth exploring further, actually he is too "innocent" to tell the truth of what happened. There are important things that missing on writing history, Columbus was not the only person who first set foot in America. A Muslim named Zheng He who first landed in America, long before Columbus. Judging from ideology, he hides the truth about Islam because in itself is a Jew. If seen writing "The chief source-and, on many matters the only source-of information about what happened on the islands after Columbus came is Bartolome de Las Casas, who, as a young priest, Participated in the conquest of Cuba ... The Indians , Las Casas says , have no religion , at least no temples. They live IN_ large communal bell - shaped buildings, housing up to 600 people at one time... "(Zinn p. 6-7).

Viewed from the word "They live In-large communal bell-shaped buildings", the building is shaped like a bell that is dome of the mosque. Actually Columbus also recognized the truth that he is not the only discoverer of the Americas, but he knows that there are other people who came early to come to America. It was on 21 October 1492, he saw a mosque in the voyage between Gibara and the Cuban Coast. To repeat, that Columbus also recognizes that there are already a number of people in America who converted to Islam. When compared with the Menzies, but Zinn always provide inaccurate information to not give evidence in his writings. Zinn also in writing if it is one-sided views, he is more in favor of one aspect only. Although he knew exactly what Columbus saw, he did not specify the evidence building.

Fourth, Zinn did not explicitly explain the purpose of writing about Columbus. If we look in the book, Zinn describes only conclusion will be the final discussion of Columbus. He did not write down his goals for what, and who. But he just replied that his goal in the interview, such as Amy Goodman said.

AMY GOODMAN: I want to go to Howard Zinn on Democracy Now! We spoke to him in May of 2009- we spoke to him a lot, but in May of 2009- this is the clip when he was in New York to launch a new edition of A Young People's History of the United States. And I asked him to respond to a question he had been asked frequently about the book: Is it right to be so critical of the government's policies, of the traditional heroes of this country?

HOWARD ZINN: It's true that people have asked that question again and again. You know, should we tell kids that Columbus, Whom they have been told was a great hero, that Columbus Mutilated Indians and kidnapped them and killed them in pursuit of gold? Should we tell people that Theodore Roosevelt, who is held up as one of our great presidents, was really a warmonger who loved military exploits and who congratulated an American general who committed a massacre in the Philippines? Should we tell young people that?

As a historian and writer, this issue should be considered. Moreover, Zinn book has become one of the subjects of the school curriculum and campus. In academic writing should be considered. Zinn also never wrote in his footnote, it would be the lack of posts. It could be that he was accused of being a fraud or plagiarism, because he does not admit that this book is a synthesis of secondary sources that existed until the late 1970s. This is becoming some criticism about Zinn writing.

CONCLUSION

            So in the above discussion, there are two basic points that can be concluded from Zinn's article. First, Zinn writing is not something that is really a benchmark of trust to know the history of the discovery of America. We can see another historian who does not choose one aspect, such as Gavin Menzies. Second, Zinn is one example of a writer who wrote less evidence to strengthen his writing. He was also less in the link between one and the other events. For example, the history of Columbus is just glued to the massacres committed by Columbus only in India.

REFERENCE:

1. Zinn, Howard. (2010). A People’s History of the United States: 1492 to present, New York: Haper Collins Publisher.

2. Daulah Islam. Sejarah para Khalifah. Availabe from http://daulahislam.com/unique/sejarah-unique/kebohongan-amerika-tentang-christopher-columbus.html

 

3. Biografi Christopher Columbus.  (2014, March 24). Available from http://kolom-biografi.blogspot.com/2009/01/biografi-cristopher-colombus.html

4. Technology and Civilization. (2014, March 24). Available from http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_craig_herwldciv_7/32/8285/2121072.cw/content/index.html

5. Mann, C. Charles. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus (2014, March 24). Available from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1491:_New_Revelations_of_the_Americas_Before_Columbus

6. Goodman, Amy & González, Juan. Censoring Howard Zinn: Former Indiana Gov. Tried to Remove "A People’s History" from State Schools (2014, March 24). Available http://www.democracynow.org/2013/7/22/censoring_howard_zinn_former_indiana_gov