Now More Than Ever: Howard Zinn

The life and legacy of Howard Zinn, historian, scholar, activist, and playwright is illuminated in this chapter. The author first explores the early motivations, influences, and the key contributions of Zinn. The author then explores new insights as to how Zinn has created an opportunity to the study of Asian American History, the history of a people who are largely invisible in social studies textbooks and curricular materials in US schools. Using Zinn as a catalyst, educators can advocate for critical thinking in educational spaces, influencing educational policy, curriculum development, and instructional practices in K-12 schools and higher education institutions. With the rising legislative assaults against the teaching of race and racism in US schools and institutions, the unfinished business of Zinn is empowering educators to fight back against the censorship of teachers by embracing a curriculum that exposes the truth about the people’s history of the USA.