Tonight, watch as History and The People Speak Non Profit Organization, Voices of a People’s History of the United States, come together to premiere The People Speak, a film that will take viewers on a journey from the founding of this country to the civil rights movement and beyond.

This film presents Howard Zinn’s book, “A People’s History of the United States” in the form of live readings and musical performances from a variety of celebrities from Rosario Dawson to Matt Damon to John Legend to Bruce Springsteen. Zinn’s book is described as a “radical, critical view of American history” and there are no better words to explain it. Viewers will learn a lot of history about what the citizens of the United States wanted and lived vs. what the leaders of the country wanted and enforced. The arrangement of the celebrities and their assigned readings could not have been better casted. Josh Brolin and Christina Kirk re-inact Susan B. Anthony addressing Judge Ward Hunt in court as Susan fights for the right of women to vote. Kerry Washington really got into character as poet Soujourner Truth as did John Legend as Muhammad Ali refusing to join the Vietnam War. Other stand-out performances include Jasmine Guy, reading as various people in history including Marian Wright Edelman who fought for children’s rights and Sylvia Woods, which was quite a comedic performance and heartbreaking reality of the times. Guy’s reading and all of the readings really, encourage viewers to think about the land of the free and home of the brave that we so called live in. These raw performances and readings make us appreciate those who fought for our rights much more than simply reading edited textbooks.

People of all ages will learn something new in this film, including how the civil war effected every class, race, and sex. This film really gives the minority a voice and that is why you need to hear the people speak because it is the people of America that will help make it better…by learning from what has already taken place in history and standing firm on making things better for the well being of people, not for simply the pride of America. Sandra Oh’s reading as Emma Goldman questioning patriotism really makes you think about what kind of country we live in and what is possible if only… All of the performances were executed with just the right amount of emotion and thought. The music arrangement and editing were both brilliantly put together. This is an incredibly powerful and inspirational series that every American should watch as they will come away wanting to become a better person for themselves, their families, and their country.

The People Speak Premieres Tonight at 8/7c on History.