Lasting words

We in Pakistan have not been able to write a people’s history

I remember the day clearly. It was January 27, 2010 — early days of the spring semester at Boston University, where I had started as a faculty member a semester ago. On this day, I learned that one of the most prominent faculty members of the university had died. Someone whose work, thought and philosophy transformed the lives of countless American students and scholars; who questioned the official and accepted narrative of history. Someone who was not afraid of dissent and wanted to speak for the people. His name was Howard Zinn. I had been a newbie on campus, and had not met Professor Zinn. Yet somehow, because of my connection with his words, the loss felt personal.

Last week, the US President denounced Professor Zinn in a speech. The President’s point was about the ongoing radical revision of US history. He was upset that people like Zinn were responsible for making students unpatriotic, by questioning the foundations of the country. I’m not sure if the President has ever read anything by Zinn, but my guess is that his speech writer was talking about his famous work, A People’s History of the United States. The book argues that a lot of what we have been taught about the founding of the country — and its founding fathers — is lopsided, misleading and inaccurate. We may not be able to go back in time, but at least we ought to understand the country’s history in light of the experiences of the people who have lived in its lands. The first chapter starts with the lives and times of the Arawak people of the Bahamas — the first people Christopher Columbus encountered on his trip to “India”. It’s a tragic tale of deception, cruelty and barbarianism against people who were hospitable and helpful to Columbus and his crew. Chapter by chapter, Zinn talks about ordinary people — natives, slaves, farmers and workers — who have suffered and on whose backs and bones the country has been built up. The book, now a staple in many high schools and colleges, holds a mirror to the country, its people and its history.

To the President, Zinn, the 1619 Project (that deals with slavery and its long shadow, particularly on the African American community) and other such efforts are unacceptable. They, according to him, make people unpatriotic and its time children be taught patriotic education.

This idea by the President is vile and ignorant. It’s also unlikely to succeed. But unfortunately he’s not the only one who wants to issue certificates of patriotism or the only one in charge of a government unwilling to accept the dark chapters of the past. We in Pakistan have our own share of discomfort with the truth. We have not been able to write a people’s history where we talk about those whose lands and rights have been taken away by the powerful. We have not been able to accept a world more complicated than a simplistic world of angels and demons that we have created in our curriculum. But our problem — in some ways — is worse. Questioning the official narrative has a much bigger price in Pakistan than what Zinn ever paid. He was revered and reviled, but was able to express himself in works that were published in his country. He could defend them publicly. Such luxuries are not afforded to many in the homeland who question.

Zinn’s book has sold over two million copies. The power of his words endure. We are better off because of his work. I’m not sure, a decade after this President is gone, we could say the same about him. Perhaps this is something for all of us — especially those in power — to think about.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2020.

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