A sad day for words and truth

Two of my favorite writers died on the same day. Yesterday, January 27th, 2010. Both were controversial in their beliefs and for the truths inspired by their writing. Both wrote about topics that others tried to hide. Both discerned and disseminated truths that were dirty, unsavory, even horrific. Both exposed America, and in doing so, revered its potential. Both incensed throngs of critics. Both described the injustice of the world and removed the glean of superficiality off of knowledge. Both taught us how little we "know" about the stuff we "know." Both were considered Gods by some, hacks by others, but both left indelible marks.

One was known for his inspirational presence among progressive-minded people. Inspiring the inspirers. Feeding artists and poets with wisdom and facts to back their ideals. He was an inspiration to everyone from Matt Damon and Eddie Vedder to Barack Obama and Bill Moyers. His History Channel special, "The People Speak" will now stand as final testament to his influence.

The other was known for his lack of presence. Turning his back on literary fame and the promise of influence and affluence, he embraced a four-decade-long, Thoreauvian seclusion that turned his influence into myth. His character, Holden Caulfield, an American teenage anti-hero who set a gold standard for adolescent angst, is almost universally regarded as one of fiction's most prolific characters. Through Holden, he gave hope to the hopelessly disillusioned. Legions of teenagers, to this day, find solace in Holden's existentialism, and ultimately, can face teenage-dom without feeling quite so weird. 

RIP: Howard Zinn & JD Salinger (1/27/2010)