Most of you are too young to remember what happened at Kent State in 1970, but it is important in the political and cultural history of our country. I mention this event because it happened on May 4th -- today -- forty two years ago. The picture shown above is the iconic image of that event.
The Vietnam War, begun in the early 1960s and accelerated by President Nixon in the latter part of that decade, was increasingly unpopular as TV news showed us its human casualties on a nightly basis. Tens of thousands of young people were being killed.
Opposition to the War emerged and grew. And grew. Its power was harnessed to the "Generation Gap" between the young and old. Young people, experimenting with rock music, drugs and long hair, were less likely than their parents to accept Nixon's justification for the War (the "domino effect" that losing Vietnam to the Communists would have). Young people forcefully argued for ending the war.
That battle became epic. Everyone had an opinion on the war and even the length of your hair was seen as a symbol of your politics. Fights broke out over dinner-tables throughout the country.
In the midst of this chaos, Kent State occurred. It was both a reflection of and catalyst for social upheaval.
Students at the university were protesting the war. As was common, they were controlled by National Guard soldiers. At one point, which is still in controversy, the soldiers started shooting their rifles at the students. Four students were killed and eight others injured. Many believe (and there is evidence to suggest) that the soldiers were ordered to shoot the students; others contend the soldiers were acting in self-defense.
The "Kent State killings" inflamed the nation. Nobody could believe that, here in America, college students could be shot while walking around on campus. Young people blamed Nixon and the older generation for the deaths. Neil Young, a hugely-popular musician of the time, wrote a song ("Ohio") which became both an anthem of rebellion and a big commercial hit.
Have you heard of this?
i've definitely heard of this. i've always been interested in this sort of thing--my dad went to berkeley in the late 60s/early 70s and has always been a huge part of social activism. the image never fails to affect me especially now that i too am in college and am engaging in social activism. what if something like this were to happen today?
ReplyDeleteI'm really fascinated with the sixties and seventies - I believe I was "born too late" sometimes! At any rate, I've read up a great deal on this, so I know about it. There's a show that I used to watch in the 90's called "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" and the theme song was a song called "Hey Sandy" - which was actually written about Kent State, granted I didn't know that until I was little older, but interesting enough!
ReplyDeleteI went to a US school and I had never heard of this - I always like learning new things )
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this. So sad.
ReplyDeleteI'd be shocked and disappointed if any American HADN'T heard of this. That being said, I'm sure there are many who have no idea.
ReplyDeleteThis event is so incredibly sad. A couple of my political science professors have discussed this from time to time.
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I was only 3 when this happened, but I've heard about it off and on in the intervening years.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of it, but it sounds tragic. It was a full 20 years before I was even born. Thanks for sharing another piece of history with your readers. I know I always learn something new.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly understandable for people too young to live through this to know about it. I was 13 at the time and paying close attention to social events, so it really shocked me. The event changed many people's core belief about what was possible in our society.
ReplyDeleteMy gosh, this sounds terrible. And it's terrible that I never heard of it. My partial excuse is that I'm Italian, so we actually study our history more than other states' history, but still....
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
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I was a junior in high school when this happened...and it is curious that you bring it up. I've been intrigued by the Occupy movement, but I hear nary a word about it EVER on my campus. Watching these working class students at a community college it is hard to imagine that such a thing could ever happen again. And, yet, it IS happening in many other countries.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was pretty up on my American History, but wow I can't believe I'd never heard of this. You're a really good writer. I'm off to google more about this...
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