Has anyone read the book A People's History of the UNited States?
if so, can you help me with a question about the first chapter?
How does Zinn's story of first contact differ from your own prior knowledge of the story?
I haven't read this text, but the reviews point out that Zinn emphasized the points of view of minorities, rather than the usual Euro-centric bias. He describes the first contact that Columbus had with the Americas from the way the Arawak's saw the newcomers.
Your assignment is to discuss how this is different from what YOU learned before about Columbus "discovering" America. Since I don't know what our own prior knowledge was -- I can't answer the question for you. <g>
To analyze how Zinn's story of first contact in A People's History of the United States differs from your own prior knowledge, follow these steps:
1. Recall your prior knowledge: Reflect on what you have learned about Columbus "discovering" America from your previous education or sources. Think about the key aspects, perspectives, and narratives that were emphasized.
2. Read Zinn's first chapter: Get a copy of A People's History of the United States and read the first chapter where Zinn discusses the first contact between Columbus and the native peoples.
3. Compare the perspectives: Take note of the differences between your prior knowledge and Zinn's narrative. Pay particular attention to how Zinn presents the point of view of the Arawak people and includes the experiences and perspectives of minorities.
4. Analyze the Euro-centric bias: Consider how Zinn's emphasis on the perspectives of minorities challenges the Euro-centric bias that is often prevalent in traditional narratives. Compare this to what you previously knew, and evaluate whether the Euro-centric bias was evident in your prior education.
5. Discuss the differences: Compile the specific differences between your prior knowledge and Zinn's narrative. Focus on aspects such as the portrayal of Columbus, the description of the native peoples, the consequences of the encounter, and the overall narrative tone.
In your assignment, you can explain how Zinn's story challenges the Euro-centric bias by considering the perspectives of the Arawak people and other minorities. Discuss how this differs from what you learned before and how it enhances your understanding of the first contact between Columbus and the Americas. Remember to support your points with specific examples from both Zinn's work and your prior knowledge.