I wonder how the foreign policies of the United States would look if we wiped out the national boundaries of the world, at least in our minds, and thought of all children everywhere as our own.
Howard ZinnRead
...Surely, we must renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote criticizes nationalism and its symbols, urging a move away from them.
Howard Zinn's quote challenges the notion of nationalism by encouraging individuals to question the significance and impact of national symbols such as flags, anthems, and allegiance. He suggests that these elements can foster a divisive mindset, promoting the idea that one nation, particularly America, is inherently special or chosen, which can lead to exclusion and conflict rather than unity and understanding.
Themes
NationalismSymbolsPatriotismFlagsUnityDivision
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for global peace, you might quote Zinn to highlight the dangers of blind nationalism.
More from Howard Zinn
All quotes βHistory can come in handy. If you were born yesterday, with no knowledge of the past, you might easily accept whatever the government tells you. But knowing a bit of history--while it would not absolutely prove the government was lying in a given instance--might make you skeptical, lead you to ask questions, make it more likely that you would find out the truth.
Howard ZinnRead
Objectivity is impossible and it is also undesirable. That is, if it were possible it would be undesirable, because if you have any kind of a social aim, if you think history should serve society in some way; should serve the progress of the human race; should serve justice in some way, then it requires that you make your selection on the basis of what you think will advance causes of humanity.
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The historian's distortion is more than technical, it is ideological; it is released into a world of contending interest, where any chosen emphasis supports some kind of interest, whether economic or political or racial, or national or sexual.
Howard ZinnRead
Americans have been taught that their nation is civilized and humane. But, too often, U.S. actions have been uncivilized and inhumane.
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The challenge remains. On the other side are formidable forces: money, political power, the major media. On our side are the people of the world and a power greater than money or weapons: the truth.
Howard ZinnRead
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