Door To Hell

I just finished Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States after starting it in late September.  Throughout the period of time I was reading the book, we have experienced the election of the first black President and an economic turbulence that harkens back to the Great Depression.  That being said, Zinn's message seemed much more relevant and present during these historic times.  The book is extensive, it covers from 1492 to present times, therefore, I really just want to touch on a couple of themes that really resonate now.

First, the election of Barack Obama was an historical event and symbolizes the success of so many people's struggles throughout history that Zinn chronicles.  Zinn makes the point over and over again that the equality and freedom won for blacks was literally fought and paid for in blood through the people rising up.  The government did not give the blacks equality, it was not their's to give, in fact the US Government did little to help the movements and did much to hinder them.  Read about Bobby Kennedy's time as Attorney General.  The people are the source of power for change and justice, not the government.  Does this sound familiar?  It should as it was the central theme of Barack Obama's campaign and promises.  However, if Zinn's book shows us, we should be skeptical of Obama as every single President before him has done little to change the inequitable system that protects and enhances the elite in society through misguided policy.  I want to hope and believe that Obama is different but his actions will have to prove it to me, until then I will be skeptical.

Another related theme that Zinn discusses is the concept of Patriotism.  In recent years Patriotism is used as a Scarlet Letter, "either you're with us or against us."  The most deceitful tactic is implying that disagreeing with the government is unpatriotic.  Zinn makes it clear that love of country is not love of government.  We as a society have to unravel the brainwashing that started as children that intertwines government and country.  Zinn also makes the complaint that most classical history tells the story of states and their government as if they were on some noble, theatrical stage, ignoring the actual people. 

Finally, with the events recently I believe that in the near future, political consciousness will once again be raised to unprecedented levels.  The people of the United States will stand up to demand for equality through classes.  The economic crises has seen the US Government give a mind boggling amount of money to Banks and Big Corporations, while meanwhile people are losing their jobs, houses, and means of living at a pace we haven't seen in decades.  The greed of the corporations led us down this path, with the government allowing it, what's going to happen when millions of people realize not only have they been robbed, but robbed of everything?  My answer:  I believe that if events continue down this road that we will have an economic revolution soon.  It will be a transformation to a system that is more just and equitable. Whether Barack Obama can lead that will be interesting, but if I am right he will not be able to deny it.

Another insightful thought by JTT: