50 years ago today armed Army National Guard members opened fire on students at Kent State University in Ohio. Thousands of student protesters were gathered to protest the Viet Nam war and the recent invasion of Cambodia ordered by the Nixon administration. Four students were killed and another nine injured during the 13 seconds of shooting.
This New York Times opinion piece offers reasonable perspective and context for both sides of the incident. Regardless, Kent State was a turning point in the politics of the Viet Nam war, the anti-war movement, and the general mistrust of our national and state governments by the youth of the day. Like too many other incidents during the 60’s and early 70’s, many of my generation remember where they were when they heard about “The Kent State Massacre.”
Contemplating its effect on me then and now, I find myself predicting that when this happens again, it won’t be the National Guard or any national military group who opens fire on unarmed protesters. It will be white nationalist and supremacist counter-protesters, bolstered by some of our political leaders, who will take care of the dirty work for them – and with even less provocation.
“Ohio” Song by Neil Young Stephen Stills tells the story that when Neil heard about the shootings, he went off into the woods and returned about an hour later with the song. They immediately gathered to record it for an immediate single release.
CNN “In Photos The Kent State massacre.”
THE MAY 4 SHOOTINGS AT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY: THE SEARCH FOR HISTORICAL ACCURACY – from Kent State University.
The song is one of my favorites of all times. It still gives me the chills to hear it.
Love this. I almost sent you that article earlier today. I never heard that story about the song, which has always been a favorite. You may not know that Richard and Gary graduated from Kent that year and knew one of the murdered students.
I did not know that about Richard. Brings it home even more.