05-06-2010, 04:38 AM
BCam wrote:
I graduated in 1970 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. I was tear gassed by Hamilton County Deputy Sheriffs. I carried a close friend to the campus hospital in a fireman carry as he had been shot point blank in the back by a tear gas gun. An 80 year old Professor Emeritus was nearly mauled to raw meat by a dog under the control of the "authorities" until the Brothers at a frat house killed the dog and dragged the man into their house.
Miami was shut down. The faculty had an emergency meeting with the more right wing professors demanding that educators take turns guarding campus buildings to "protect the University". One teacher rose and correctly stated, "We sent the University home. What have here now is merely real estate."
I lived in a rented home with two roommates. We had 14 people living with us while the school was closed. But, the education did not stop. No matter a dawn to dusk curfew, no matter patrols by armed Deputies, if you went to the town square you could find little notes pinned to the kiosk there, "Bio 304 meets at ...." "Engineering 345 at Prof. Jones home at 2 PM", etc.
Learning went on. Knowledge was shared almost as a tribute to those who died at Kent State.
Did Kent State mean something to me and my generation. In the long run - yes. As no one was ever held accountable for the murder of four people and the wounding of many more, it became perfectly clear then that the US and State Governments would use any means, including shooting unarmed people, to protect themselves and their interests.
May 4, 1970 was the date that a generation of Americans became cynical - and I dare say we still are.
Great post. Thanks.