Columbus the Genocide and Washington the Racist: How Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, and Naomi Klein Made a Fortune Selling Anti-American Propaganda in the US, EU, and Latin America

 

In the pantheon of what might be called the “Miserabilists,” Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, and Naomi Klein hold a place of particular distinction. 

Their collective endeavor? Selling a narrative so bleak, one might be forgiven for thinking that American history is less a matter of historical record and more a crime scene, with Europe and Latin America as accomplices in the indictment. They have crafted an American saga filled with villains aplenty, from Columbus, the 'Genocide GPS,' to George Washington, the 'Founding Racist.'

Zinn’s Historical Remix

Howard Zinn’s A People's History of the United States could be seen as the flagship of this flotilla, turning what could have been a nuanced critique into a veritable Armageddon of the American ethos. Zinn paints with a brush so broad that one wonders if it was sourced from a Home Depot clearance sale. His Columbus is not just a flawed explorer but a harbinger of doom, single-handedly responsible for every calamity short of climate change. And Washington? In Zinn’s hands, he’s not merely a man of his times, but a poster child for all that ails them.

Chomsky’s Linguistic Larceny

Noam Chomsky, ever the linguist, twists language into pretzels of logic to suit his narrative. With the agility of a circus acrobat, he leaps from condemning U.S. foreign policy to lionizing authoritarian regimes—if, and only if, they happen to oppose America. His critiques sprinkled generously with the salt of political bias, have seasoned a global anti-American stew with relish, especially savored by those predisposed to find fault with Uncle Sam.

Klein’s Catastrophic Capitalism

Naomi Klein, not to be outdone, sees capitalism not just as a flawed economic system but as an apocalyptic horror show, where every natural disaster has a corporate sponsor. In The Shock Doctrine, she argues that capitalists don’t just exploit crises—they choreograph them. If you thought disaster capitalism was about recovery, think again. In Klein’s world, it’s about opportunistic villains rubbing their hands as the world burns, ready to rebuild it in their neoliberal image.

Exporting Despair

Together, this trio has not just criticized; they’ve monetized despair. Their works have found fertile ground not only in the U.S. but across the globe, particularly in Europe and Latin America, where suspicion of American motives runs deep. The irony, of course, is that while decrying capitalism, they have managed to carve out a rather capitalist niche for themselves, peddling books that cast America as the world’s foremost villain—proving, if nothing else, that doom sells.

The Merchants of Misery

Zinn, Chomsky, and Klein could be seen as modern-day Merchants of Venice, trading not in pounds of flesh but in tons of guilt. They slice up American history, weigh each piece with the gravity of the world’s sins, and sell it off to the highest bidder—or, indeed, any bidder eager to believe the worst. And while they decry the American Dream, they cash checks that are very much a product of the system they claim to despise.

In summary, while there is undeniable value in critiquing historical narratives and examining the flaws in national policies, our trio of 'miserabilists' often cross the line from healthy skepticism into lucrative cynicism. By turning history into a hammer with which to beat the drum of anti-Americanism, they have not just rewritten history; they have turned it into a bestseller.

The Poisoning of the American Mind: Howard Zinn's Slanderous History of the U.S. and Civilization

Howard Zinn's portrayal of Christopher Columbus as a genocidal maniac in A People's History of the United States represents one of the more incendiary charges in his arsenal of historical revisionism. Zinn, ever the iconoclast, doesn't just aim to knock Columbus off the proverbial pedestal; he seeks to smash the statue entirely. But does his fiery rhetoric hold up under scholarly scrutiny, or is it merely an exercise in anachronistic, politically motivated slander?

The Charge of Genocide

Zinn accuses Columbus of initiating a genocide against the indigenous peoples of the Americas. His narrative paints a picture of Columbus not as an explorer but as a harbinger of doom, whose arrival marked the beginning of a calculated, brutal extermination of Native Americans. This charge is a cornerstone of Zinn's thesis that the history of the United States is fundamentally a history of exploitation and oppression.

Scholarly Rebuttals

Critics argue that Zinn’s claims are not only exaggerated but are also historically inaccurate and anachronistic. Scholars like Carol Delaney have pointed out that while the death toll in the wake of European colonization was tragically high, attributing it to a deliberate genocidal policy orchestrated by Columbus is misleading. Delaney (2011) argues that the majority of deaths were caused by diseases such as smallpox, which the indigenous populations had no immunity against, rather than orchestrated mass killings.

Philip Ziegler (1997), in his study of epidemiological impacts on historical populations, supports this view, suggesting that the concept of genocide, as defined in the 20th century, cannot be retroactively applied to the 15th century without considerable risk of historical distortion. Zinn’s application of modern standards to past events is not just anachronistic; it's a methodological folly that undermines the complexity of historical causation and agency.

Political Motivations

Zinn's approach to Columbus is also criticized for being overtly political, designed to support a narrative that views history through the lens of modern social justice movements. This perspective, while valuable in fostering a critical understanding of historical narratives, risks becoming a tool for present-day political agendas rather than a quest for historical truth.

James Loewen, another critical historian, while sympathetic to Zinn’s aims, notes that oversimplification of historical events serves neither the interests of truth nor those of effective historical education. By reducing the rich tapestry of the past to a simple binary of oppressors and the oppressed, Zinn not only deprives history of its nuances but also its ability to truly enlighten or inform present struggles.

The Poisoning Narrative

More pernicious than any single historical inaccuracy or bias is the cumulative effect of Zinn's work on the American psyche. By presenting a view of history that is almost unrelentingly negative and accusatory, Zinn's narrative risks poisoning the well of American civic life. It fosters a sense of historical guilt and victimhood rather than encouraging a balanced understanding and critical appreciation of the past. This approach not only distorts young Americans' understanding of their history but also undermines the potential for a reasoned and inclusive public discourse. As such, Zinn’s narrative acts less as a corrective lens and more as a slanderous script that maligns not just historical figures, but the very foundations of Western civilization.

In "The Poisoning of the American Mind," Zinn might be seen as swinging the sledgehammer of revisionism with too reckless an abandon. The charge of genocide against Columbus, while underpinned by legitimate grievances about the portrayal of European colonization, does not hold up against a rigorous fact-check. Historical inquiry should resist the temptation to conform to contemporary political pressures; otherwise, it risks becoming just another statue, ready to be toppled by the next generation of revisionists.

In the end, the smashing of statues, both literal and metaphorical, should be undertaken with care, guided by a commitment to complexity and historical truth rather than the seductive simplicity of ideology.

References

• Delaney, C. (2011). Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem. New York, NY: Free Press.
• Loewen, J. W. (1995). Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong. New York, NY: The New Press.
• Ziegler, P. (1997). The Black Death. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

Detailed Review of Mary Grabar's "Debunking Howard Zinn" and Ronald Radosh's Critique of Howard Zinn

Mary Grabar’s Debunking Howard Zinn: Exposing the Fake History That Turned a Generation against America and Ronald Radosh’s essay "Howard Zinn's Influential Mutilations of American History" provide pointed critiques of Howard Zinn’s A People's History of the United States. Both works dissect Zinn’s approach, methodology, and the impact of his work, arguing that Zinn's history is more a piece of political propaganda than a scholarly endeavor.

Mary Grabar’s “Debunking Howard Zinn”

Overview and Thesis

Grabar's book argues that Howard Zinn’s A People's History of the United States presents a biased, distorted, and highly selective version of American history. Her thesis is that Zinn uses emotional manipulation and cherry-picked facts to promote a Marxist view of American history, which has misled educators and students alike.

Chapter Summaries

1. Introduction and Methodology: Grabar introduces her motivations for writing the book, emphasizing the widespread influence of Zinn's work in education. She outlines her methodology, focusing on contrasting Zinn’s claims with primary sources and credible historical research.

2. Zinn’s Philosophy of History: This chapter examines the philosophical underpinnings of Zinn’s work, highlighting his explicit commitment to a Marxist framework and his rejection of objective historical analysis in favor of a partisan view.

3. Misrepresenting the Discovery of America: Grabar critiques Zinn’s depiction of Christopher Columbus, arguing that Zinn presents a one-sided narrative that exaggerates violence and ignores the complexities of European and Native American interactions.

4. The American Revolution: She tackles Zinn's portrayal of the American Revolution as a plot by the founders to cement their own power, providing evidence to counter this claim and arguing for a more balanced view of the founders' intentions.

5. The Civil War and Emancipation: In this chapter, Grabar disputes Zinn’s assertion that the Civil War was not fought over slavery but economic interests, using primary sources to demonstrate that emancipation was a central issue.

6. The Civil Rights Movement: Grabar accuses Zinn of appropriating the civil rights movement, portraying it as a Marxist struggle rather than a fight for legal equality and individual rights.

7. Modern Times: This final chapter examines Zinn's treatment of recent history, critiquing his views on Vietnam, the Cold War, and modern politics as overly simplistic and ideologically driven.

Ronald Radosh’s “Howard Zinn's Influential Mutilations of American History”

Overview

Radosh’s essay, published in The New Criterion, is a critical examination of Zinn’s historical method and influence. Radosh, a former leftist turned conservative critic, argues that Zinn's work is not only academically flawed but also dangerously influential, as it distorts students' understanding of American history.

Key Points

• Ideological Bias: Radosh highlights Zinn's ideological bias, noting his selective omission of facts that do not fit his narrative of American history as a history of oppression.
• Misrepresentation of Facts: He provides examples of where Zinn has misrepresented or oversimplified historical events, such as the development of the atomic bomb and the motives behind American wars.
• Impact on Education: Radosh discusses the negative impact of Zinn's writings on education, noting that his portrayal of the U.S. as fundamentally corrupt and oppressive has become a dominant narrative in some educational circles.

Both Grabar and Radosh present thorough critiques of Howard Zinn’s historical work, arguing that his approach is not only academically irresponsible but also detrimental to students’ understanding of American history. They emphasize the need for historical narratives that strive for balance and objectivity rather than promoting ideological agendas. These critiques serve as a call to educators and scholars to examine the sources and biases of the histories they teach.

Smashing Statues: Howard Zinn's Rewriting of History

Howard Zinn's portrayal of Christopher Columbus as a genocidal maniac in A People's History of the United States represents one of the more incendiary charges in his arsenal of historical revisionism. Zinn, ever the iconoclast, doesn't just aim to knock Columbus off the proverbial pedestal; he seeks to smash the statue entirely. But does his fiery rhetoric hold up under scholarly scrutiny, or is it merely an exercise in anachronistic, politically motivated slander?

The Charge of Genocide

Zinn accuses Columbus of initiating a genocide against the indigenous peoples of the Americas. His narrative paints a picture of Columbus not as an explorer but as a harbinger of doom, whose arrival marked the beginning of a calculated, brutal extermination of Native Americans. This charge is a cornerstone of Zinn's thesis that the history of the United States is fundamentally a history of exploitation and oppression.

Scholarly Rebuttals

Critics argue that Zinn’s claims are not only exaggerated but are also historically inaccurate and anachronistic. Scholars like Carol Delaney have pointed out that while the death toll in the wake of European colonization was tragically high, attributing it to a deliberate genocidal policy orchestrated by Columbus is misleading. Delaney (2011) argues that the majority of deaths were caused by diseases such as smallpox, which the indigenous populations had no immunity against, rather than orchestrated mass killings.

Philip Ziegler (1997), in his study of epidemiological impacts on historical populations, supports this view, suggesting that the concept of genocide, as defined in the 20th century, cannot be retroactively applied to the 15th century without considerable risk of historical distortion. Zinn’s application of modern standards to past events is not just anachronistic; it's a methodological folly that undermines the complexity of historical causation and agency.

Political Motivations

Zinn's approach to Columbus is also criticized for being overtly political, designed to support a narrative that views history through the lens of modern social justice movements. This perspective, while valuable in fostering a critical understanding of historical narratives, risks becoming a tool for present-day political agendas rather than a quest for historical truth.

James Loewen, another critical historian, while sympathetic to Zinn’s aims, notes that oversimplification of historical events serves neither the interests of truth nor those of effective historical education. By reducing the rich tapestry of the past to a simple binary of oppressors and the oppressed, Zinn not only deprives history of its nuances but also its ability to truly enlighten or inform present struggles.

Conclusion

In "Smashing Statues," Zinn might be seen as swinging the sledgehammer of revisionism with too reckless an abandon. The charge of genocide against Columbus, while underpinned by legitimate grievances about the portrayal of European colonization, does not hold up against a rigorous fact-check. Historical inquiry should resist the temptation to conform to contemporary political pressures; otherwise, it risks becoming just another statue, ready to be toppled by the next generation of revisionists.

In the end, the smashing of statues, both literal and metaphorical, should be undertaken with care, guided by a commitment to complexity and historical truth rather than the seductive simplicity of ideology.

References

• Delaney, C. (2011). Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem. New York, NY: Free Press.
• Loewen, J. W. (1995). Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong. New York, NY: The New Press.
• Ziegler, P. (1997). The Black Death. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

 What should we do?

My first suggestion is not to buy books with that title (Lenin has the original, probably expired copyright)

My other recommendation —which you could have logically anticipated—is to read these authors with an open and critical mind, fact-check with scholarly sources (check with AI), follow the facts wherever they take you (Milton Friedman), and change your mind accordingly (John Maynard Keynes0).

Good luck with your personal Odyssey. I hope this reading might help you stay away from the rocks no matter how enthralling the ideological Sirens sing.