Cultures of Resistance

Published in 1980, Howard Zinn’s groundbreaking A People’s History of the United States recounts the nation’s history from the perspective of ordinary citizens: union organizers, slaves and abolitionists, suffragists and veterans, musicians and railway workers. Since its original publishing, the book has attracted millions of readers and has gone through numerous updates and incarnations, including several aimed at classroom teaching.

Building on the success of Zinn’s work, the nonprofit organization Voices of a People’s History of the United States was founded this year to further education and social justice efforts. One of those efforts – a documentary film called “The People Speak,” based on Zinn’s books – will air on national television and at select theaters in 2009. In conjunction with the film, Voices will work with partners to develop a comprehensive high school and college educational curriculum as well as teacher training and community engagement projects related to Zinn’s texts.

The Cultures of Resistance Network is proud to support Voices’ educational efforts and help inspire a new generation of individuals who believe – in the words of activist Marian Wright Edelman – that democracy is not a spectator sport.