A Critique : When the Truth has been Opened

A Critique : When the Truth has been Opened

Introduction

Fame, influence, and popularity.  There are many things that are discussed in the text "Speaking Truth to Power with Books,” but in this text just offers a critical perspective on Zinn in that article.   Inspired by reading experience of Howard Zinn's article "Speaking Truth to Power with Books”, eventually led to an interest in Howard Zinn's thinking and perspective.  The first section will discuss the initial text summary text of "Speaking Truth to Power with Books".   Then would continue with criticism of what Zinn expressed in the text, and the next part is the conclusion of all the discussions that have been presented.

Summary

There are many important points in Zinn idean which wrote in " Speaking Truth to Power with Books”, which indirectly reveal who he was, and how his thinking. The key points are:

1.      Truth through the book is something that could change the consciousness of the people , and could change the world

2.      Reading awareness is important, because when the sound produced will quickly go away if we do not record the moments coupled with talking to remember and write it down in sheets of paper and then put them together in a book.

3.      Through books produced writers, until finally read by many people and ultimately implies how these writings can change a person from their paradigm, to life.

4.      The phrase which is surprising the world; Christopher Columbus was a murderer, torturer, kidnapper, mutilator, a hypocrite, man greedy gold seekers, willing to kill humans and mutilating people. That makes readers shock.

5.      Then, in the Howard Zinn article mentions that there are several ways in which books can change awareness ;

a.       They can introduce to reader an idea had never thought before.

b.      Maybe after reading a book, especially if they read historical unconventional.  It could be going to attack you because each individual does not have the same interests.

c.       The existence of insights derived from books.

d.      The existence set of data that is not owned by the people, and who, when they are revealed in a book, it will surprise readers and then it will turn into a very important realization. 

e.       Many people believe that they will know something when they did not know before.

f.       There are still other ways that books and writing can be done, through literature absurdity, in the tradition of Jonathan Swift and Mark Franz Kafka and Twaim. The idea - silly idea that will indirectly make you think.

g.      Through text, would make someone not feel alonee. Not only transform the reader, but also the author.

Critique

There are some things that are already well established in Zinn’s article “Speaking Truth to Power with Books”, including:

First, the expression of that truth through the book is something that could change the consciousness of people, and can change the world. It seems true; this is corroborated by Lehtonen (2000) expression who said that " ..... Even the most seemingly innocent and simple of texts conceals an Immeasurable amount of human history. All texts have their own production history. Certain people have produced them under certain historical and material preconditions. These preconditions reach from the language used to genres, assumed readership, distribution channels of texts and other such things."

Second, about the expression on the second point “consciousness reading is important.  Why reading is important?  Because when the sound produced will quickly go away if we do not record the moments coupled with talking to recall and write it in pieces of paper and then put them together in a book. that ide can accept well, because Lehtonen ( 2000) revealed that "There is one sensible focal point in the idea of 'the text itself' items, namely, that texts have their own dispositions, the which have an impact on how they Become a read."

Third, the texts are communicative artefacts Lehtonen (2000). It can strengthen the third point Zinn’s opinion "Through books writers produced, until finally read by many people and ultimately implies how these writings can change a person from their paradigm, to life." Through text, an idea can be well communicated through reader’s mediator.

Furthermore, although Zinn has built a good idea, does not mean he does not have a shortage. There are a few points on "Speaking Truth to Power with Books" that are neglected.

First, the 'absence of some references and footnotes in the article.'  From article Speaking Truth to Power with Books, there are some facts that should be given a note where he got that information. Moreover, in the academic writing which is identical to the evidence and the facts are evident in every writing, this is a big issue in fear initiated by Zinn is not considered in academic circles. Reference is useful as reinforcing the fact that postulate given by an inscription.  In fact, there is a saying that the more references, the higher the level of truth. This is intended to prevent misinformation being delivered.  Zinn just say that all the major issues that came from his experience. This can be seen in the fifth paragraph of the article, which wrote “I imagine others have had the same experience.” And then we take the example in the description of Colombus, there just write a little explanation and without the reference on which can be accessed by the reader further, for example by writing; look “A People History of United States.

Second, Zinn said that he told only based on the experience, as in the fourth paragraph. Perhaps this is what makes it not been seriously considered in academic circles. 

Third, in explaining about Christopher Columbus.  From his opinions he only saw the negative side of Columbus only. Others with Morison, of his opinion he did not deny that there has been a massacre in Arawaks tribes, but he did not underestimate the kindness of Columbus. Little fact was not comparable to the service and heroism Columbus for us. Sense is then reproduced in the classroom teaching of history, and the student handbook. Zinn wrote different versions of history; history from the point of view of those lost, namely the loser. Be it tells the story of the discovery of America from the perspective of the Indians Arawaks, of the Civil War as experienced by the Irish in New York, about the first World War seen from the Socialist party, and of the conquest of the Philippines by black soldiers on Luzon. But this is fine, because every writer has a different viewpoint on what he wrote.

Then, still on the Zinn’s opinion about Colombus, his decision to write the story Colombus can not be blamed because like what he expressed "It is not possible because all history is subjective, history is all viewpoints.  History is always a selection of infinite number of facts, and all people make a different selection, based on their values ​​and what they consider important. therefore not possible to be objective, you have to be honest about it. "Zinn (2005).  As history involves presenting one's point of view, interpretation and assessment, the question of who is at fault, must be agreed with the question of what our responsibility now, if he did not consider what would happen when she reveals it without explaining who the discoverer of the American real, then what is the background for his expression of ugliness Zinn, and what the purpose of it all.  Indeed, in other writings have mentioned that  :

"I never just presenting both sides and leave it at that. I took a stand. If I'm dealing with Columbus, I say, there are those who say that we should not judge Columbus by twentieth century standards. But my view is that basic moral standards are no different to the twentieth century or fifteenth century.  History I do not just lay out on the plate and said, "I do not care what you choose, there are both valid.  "I let them know," No, I care what you choose; I do not think they're both valid. But you do not have to agree with me. "I want them to know that if people do not take a stand to stand, the world will remain unchanged, and who wants that?" (Howard Zinn on Democratic Education, pp. 192-3)

Fourth, incorrect use of chronological order in said that several ways in which books can alter consciousness. Because the first way he uses the word "first" in the seventh paragraph, but when he mentions later how to use the words "This is another idea ..." in the ninth paragraph. This may mislead the reader; the reader may think there is no continuation of the way he has mentioned.

Conclusion

From the above, it can be concluded that no one, single book ever written in the world that does not bring benefits. Each book will bring benefits if the reader is able to grasp the meaning and wisdom.  

And from what Zinn described about Columbus, it can make explicit the meaning of the fact that the study and understanding of history, should lead us not only to understand the past, but it allows us to imagine or predict what will and what could be.  However, his explain regarding Colombus make it look biased.

A critical mind guarantees us to tell the truth but this should never lead to cynicism, despair, or imprisoned with some kind of ideological determinism Zinn eloquently affirms: "I can understand the pessimism, but I do not believe in it’s Not just a matter of faith, but from the evidence of history. Evidence is excessive, just enough to give hope, because the hope we do not need certainty, only possibility." Indeed, optimism heart mark Zinn who think that if we want a future that is desirable and better, it is a call for our commitment to act, no matter how small initiatives.

Let’s from time to time to review some important markers that Zinn has left for us to reflect and react. Attention Zinn on history indicates the need for a true understanding of what we can do in the present. Historical facts are intelligent should blend with emotion and passion, especially if we want to appreciate the history of the sights marginalized and forgotten.

Reference

Miko, Lehtonen.  The Cultural Analysis of Text.  2000. London : SAGE Publications Ltd.

Zinn, Howard.  Speaking Truth to Power with Books. Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Zinn, Howard.   on Democratic Education. Boulder: Paradigm Publication.  2005.

http://www.bu.edu/today/2011/rethinking-howard-zinn/ diakses pada tanggal 19 Maret 2014 pukul 20.35 WIB

http://kasamaproject.org/history/1888-20michael-kazin-a-critique-of-howard-zinn-039-s-history diakses pada tanggal 19 Maret 2014 pukul 20.44 WIB

http://thereadingroup.wordpress.com/2014/03/14/howard-zinn-1922-2010-scholar-activist-in-dissenting-advocating-and-teaching/ diakses pada tanggal 20 Maret 2014 pukul  11.22 WIB

https://zinnedproject.org/