On December 13th, a date I've basically had tattooed on my arm like the guy from Memento, The People Speak finally makes its debut on the History Channel. This is more than just must-see-TV. It is nothing less than the life's work of "people's historian" Howard Zinn brought to life by some of the most talented actors, musicians, and poets in the country. Howard Zinn and his partner Anthony Arnove chose the most stirring political passages in Zinn's classic A People's History of the United States, creating a written anthology called Voices of a People's History of the United States. Those "voices" have now been fully resurrected by a collection of performers ranging from Matt Damon to hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco to poet Staceyann Chin.
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Certainly the lunatic right will howl to the heavens after seeing "liberal Hollywood" perform the words of labor radicals, anti-racists, feminists, and socialists. In fact, aided by the craven Matt Drudge, they are already in full froth, campaigning online to get the History Channel to drop The People Speak before its air-date. If it weren't so contemptible, their actions would be almost quaint, like a virtual book burning.
Be sure to watch the video trailer at the History Channel. As the commentary says:
Democracy is not a spectator sport. Using dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries and speeches of everyday Americans, THE PEOPLE SPEAK gives voice to those who spoke up for social change throughout U.S. history, forging a nation from the bottom up with their insistence on equality and justice. Narrated by Howard Zinn and based on his best-selling books, A People's History of the United States and Voices of a People's History of the United States, THE PEOPLE SPEAK illustrates the relevance of these passionate historical moments to our society today and reminds us never to take liberty for granted.
Tattoo your arm right now so you don't forget to watch the show, and pass the word to others.
Thanks to my Texas friend for the reminder.
Wow, as a long-time fan of Howard Zinn, I'm glad to learn about this. Thanks, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteI'm very much looking forward to the show.
ReplyDeleteWe just finished watching the show and it was wonderful. I especially liked Sojourner Truth talking about being a woman.
ReplyDeleteWow, Mimi, I had to come over and thank you for alerting me to this. I didn't tattoo it on my arm, but I WROTE IT DOWN and remembered to watch! Great stuff. Have recorded it so I can watch it again.
ReplyDeleteI am so very grateful to my friend in Texas for the reminder. I loved the show. I hope that a CD version is released that would be widely shown in schools and universities around the country.
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