The Biggest Effect of Howard Zinn

Name : Lili Sulaihah

Class : PBI-D 4^th Semester

NIM  : 14121330389

“Free Writing 2”

The Biggest Effect of Howard Zinn

Introduction

Howard Zinn is a activist, antropologist and historian. He was toke the biggest effect for every human’s mind in the world who has wrote the article about “Speaking Truth to Power with Book”.  As we know, from this article he said that book is world change and mind of every human. In this article also Zinn said that Christopher Columbus is not a first discoverer continent of America, but Columbus is a murderer, a torturer, a kidnapper, and a multilator. So, zinn’s article has the biggest effect for the reader.

 Summary

The summary of Zinn’s article, I got there are several points that Howard Zinn wrote on Christopher Columbus in his article, those are: First, Columbus was not the first to discover the New World. People - Scandinavians (Vikings) explored the North American continent in the 11^th  century and founded the colony of L'Anse aux Meadow. Second, reason Columbus went sailing that is Columbus raping the daughter of one of the Spanish nobleman who was aged 13 years. Courts can not decide he should be put to death, and eventually Queen Isabella sent him on a mission looking for a new continent (when it was the main goal is to find India) and with expectations, Columbus can not go back. Third, when Columbus arrived in indies, at the moment that he believe found India, not America. He torture indigene inhabitant with hang and whip the just cause for research gold. Zinn recognized as among the earliest people who opposed the Vietnam War. He's a historian who was always mencabar status quo. Zinn assume that Christopher Columbus and his group have done genocide (murder of a nation or a people cut off). Zinn's history is the history of the United States according to the little people, rather than the history of the presidency of Andrew Jackson to Franklin Rooseevelt. Zinn see U.S. history as a history of resistance servitude, right of the origin of the Red Indians, the characters, the workers, the civil rights movement and the politics of U.S. citizens, and entrepreneurial officer feminist anti-war resistance. Zinn recognized as among the earliest people who opposed the Vietnam War. He's a historian who was always mencabar status quo. Zinn assume that Christopher Columbus and his group have done genocide (murder of a nation or a people cut off). Who does not know Columbus. It was he who discovered America. The fact that Columbus was born varies from author to author. However, most experts generally agree that he was born in the Italian port city of Genoa, on the Ligurian Sea ( Mediterranean Sea ). His name in Italian is Cristoforo Colombo, which translates into English as Christopher Columbus, to the Spanish as Cristobal Colón, and into Portuguese as Christovão Colom. Columbus used the name of the Portuguese version for Portugal and Spain version after moving to Spain in 1485. In its attempt to find the road west from Europe to the East, Columbus accidentally discovered America. Its discovery brings great influence tehadap world history. Because of that, he is one of the 100 most influential people in the world throughout history. Everyone including the American people know that American inventor was Christopher Columbus. Christopher Columbus is known as a very good and holy that away from negative things  Such as Christopher Columbus as a pious figure or Christopher Columbus as the great inventor and others.

Critique

In this time, I will critique zinn’s article, there are third point of on Columbus that are neglected in his article “Speaking Truth to Power with Book”, those are: First, Zinn did not include reference in his article. So, He did not corroborate on his article the reasons about badness Columbus, because a reference is very important. Second,  Zinn said the first discoverer continent America not Columbus, but he did not mention who the first discoverer continent America he just said it. So, this is made confused for the reader about his article and cause the biggest negative effect of a zinn’s article the for the reader. On the other hand, many people has an argument that Colombus is the best one in the world, he is a first discoverer continent America. Third, Zinn when telling in his article about Christopher Columbus he just told badness about Columbus, he no one told about goodness. This is still unclear, in opinion from Howard Zinn. Because, in explain book the titl. Howard Zinn still hidden the history about new first find continent American. As for Columbus, he is one of the 100 most influential people in the world throughout history. Everyone including the American people know that American inventor was Christopher Columbus. Christopher Columbus is known as a very good and holy that away from negative things  Such as Christopher Columbus as a pious figure or Christopher Columbus as the great inventor and others. Where in the early history of Columbus is said to be the hero, a great inventor Columbus, Columbus devout Bible reader. But unlike the opinion of Howard Zinn in his article entitled " Speaking Truth to Power with Books " Howard Zinn depict Christopher Columbus as the source of all evils. Such as the figure of Columbus Christopher killer, kidnapper, torturer, a hypocrite, greedy search for wealth, and the figure with the desire to kill large. It is the opinion of Howard Zinn is in  through writing in the book . Thus making the whole of American society even worldwide uproar and snarled at him through the writings in this book.

Conclusion

There are two basic points that can be concluded from Zinn’s article. First,  we should learn about any history in our world, because history is more important to learn. We must think critically in receiving inforamsi, by reading other references. Because critical thinking is one skill that should be owned by a reader, have reason to think, to criticize a text that is presented by the author, as well as critical thinking is the ability to analyze the facts, trigger and organize ideas, defend opinions, make comparisons, draw conclusions, evaluate arguments and solve problems with the truth of something.  Second, with read a history, we are like planter polished diamond in ourself.  Because, we got more knowledge.

Reference :

http://daulahislam.com/unique/sejarah-unique/kebohongan-amerika-tentang-christopher-columbus.html  diunggah pada tgl 20-03-14 pkl 16.00 WIB

http://Columbus,Indians,HumanProgress.htm diunggah pada tgl 09-03-14 pkl 15.30 WIB