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Hopeful in Bad Times
February 9, 2010
Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.
-Fannie Lou Hamer, Civil Rights Leader
On January 27, historian, professor, lecturer, playwright, and filmmaker, Howard Zinn, passed away.  In his autobiography, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train, Zinn made these remarks about being hopeful:

"To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.  What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives.  If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something.  If we remember those times and places — and there are so many — where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.

"And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future.  The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory."



The Exchange Beginnings Workshop, "Nurturing Optimism" includes these insightful articles:
  • "Building Relationships With Young Children" by George Scarlett
  • "Choosing Courage in a Climate of Fear" by Jeffrey Perkins
  • "Raising Children Who Are Hopeful" by Karen J. Keivich and Jane E. Gillham
  • "Living With Disappointment: How to Choose Powerful Outcomes in the Face of Unmet Expectations" by M. Parker Anderson

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Comments (3)

Displaying All 3 Comments
charity inechi · March 19, 2010
Fed. Poly. Bida
bida, Niger, Nigeria


it is wonderful and good to always look ahead and not dwell in self pity. It is mind relieving to think of good times, to rememberthe happy days and positive thoughts bring positive behaviours and good results. God bless Him.
thank you for the spirit of sharing.this message has raised my hope.

Judi Pack · February 09, 2010
United States


Thank you for including this quote from Howard Zinn's book. It is a wonderful example of his attitude toward and love for his country and humankind.

Thank you for sharing this powerful and positive message amid so much mean-spirited-ness.

Sabrina Brassard · February 09, 2010
United States


The way you've described Howard Zinn makes him seem less controversial than he was. Not everyone subscribed to his radical views of history, even historians who lean the same way he did.

This is another article where you've clearly shown your liberal tilt.

Why do you feel it necessary to politicize Early Childhood Education?



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