Loss
Photo taken 7/30/2006, at my father's 85th birthday party in Boston, MA.
I am heartsick with sadness. I just learned that Howard Zinn died yesterday.
Most people know him as the author of A People's History of the United States, or they remember his name because of the movie Good Will Hunting. I knew him as a family friend, wife to warm and wonderful artist Roz (who died two years ago). He was kind, fierce, brilliant, eloquent, tirelessly energetic, generous, charismatic, and also soft-spoken and modest in personal conversation. I looked forward to his visits to DC, when he would often invite me to join him at his speaking engagement and sometimes include me in dinners with the lefty literati.
Not many people are able to reach and change minds, and to speak with fearless passion about the issues that matter. I didn't always agree with Howard, but I deeply admired his commitment to justice and peace. I was lucky to know him and I will miss him.
Read an obituary here.
Labels: external link, people, personal
3 Comments:
I'm sorry from your loss. From the various notices I've received about his passing, I understand.
So sorry, Nina. I had forgotten your connection to him - thanks for the reminder and wonderful portrait.
Never knew him, but LOVED him - agreed 100% - why even argue with a Wise Man?
Just saw a documentary about him a couple of months ago - unbelievably attractive, even in old age. Sorry for your loss and everyone's. Still, 87 was a good and fruitful haul.
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