A People's History of the United States, by Howard Zinn

934 Words2 Pages

Zinn in his book “A People’s History of the United States,’’ handles various issues. Though the graphic novel adaptation does not cover all the details of the history of America, the author provides us with a critical view of the history of America where its leaders carry out actions independently and not for the benefit of the whole population. It also provides us with examples of atrocities that the American army committed around the world and the country’s commitment to democracy that led it to instruct its army to join the second Word War. The author therefore focuses on the positive and the negative aspect of American history in a captivating way through visual and dynamic production of historical records.

Sex and gender inequality

Sex and gender inequality is one of the many issues handled in this book. This has always been a social problem in America and other nations. Sex and gender are different terms, where sex refers to the biological difference between men and women while gender refers to the differences between females and males that the society constructs between the two. These inequalities therefore, are society-created where men and women are treated differently not because of what they can do but who they are. The author dedication to portrayal of America as a society that disregarded their rights is therefore, in an attempt to create a society with gender equity and equality where a woman and man will be treated equally in work stations and other public places. The physical characteristics of women and their position as child bearers gave the men a convenience to use, exploit people who were their sex mates, companions and guardians of their children.

Socialization

Socialization is another important concer...

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...equality is based on economic advantage of specific groups.

Zinn believes that a market is another mechanism that the state uses to enhance its control, that prices are not determined by competitive market systems but by the state to continue the inequality in the system. Zinn views the current economic inequality like the symbolic interactionists where the privileged show their power and wealth through their lifestyle. The ruling class and the wealthy in the American society invest their wealth and time improving the way the world outside views them as in control of every situation while the poor and the unprivileged are unable to meet the basics of life like education and medical bills.

Works Cited

Bigelow, B. A People’s History, A People’s Pedagogy. 2011. Retrieved from:http://zinnedproject.org/about/a-people%E2%80%99s-history-a people%E2%80%99s-pedagogy

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