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.Howard Zinn
Karen Lee Kleis 
Karen, well said. We must have hope. Without, there is only despair. People mention how bad things are, but we must remember the news is not even weighted for bad news and good news. Good news is grossly underreported. The doctor who does 19 wonderful surgeries, will only be newsworthy if the 20th one messes up. So, things are never as bad as they seem. In fact, the truth is our country is doing pretty well, but of course has some problems that need to be worked out, but that does not fit easily into a campaign slogan. Keith
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Beautiful photo and inspiring words. I love Howard!
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Thanks, Nat! I thought the quote was a great reminder that we should never lose hope no matter how messed up things seem to be.
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