Heart Ache

Since the death of my father I haven't been as affected by the passing of an individual as I was on Thursday when I found out that legendary Social Historian and author Howard Zinn died of a heart attack. I had always hoped that I would be able to see him speak in person, but never made that happen. When I first read A People's History I threw the book across the room to the wall, in disbelief. Zinn's social history changed the way I viewed the world and my country. Is it coincidence that this man, who advocated so fervently for human rights of citizens in this nation and others, criticized the role of corporations and monied interests in our foreign affairs and how American democracy is continuously marginalized by the upper class, died of a heart attack less than a week following the Supreme Courts decision to reverse directions on how corporations can spend their money in the political arena. I realized after his parting just what a hero he was to me. Thank you, Mr. Zinn for being a true patriot.