Speaking as someone that was not around during the initial protests....
Many people have not heard of this. I only heard of them my senior year college from a friend of mine that lives very close to Kent State. I know for me, I knew of the various protests for Vietnam and that some of them turned bloody. But I couldn't tell you where most of them took place or what happened. Again, in this case, someone had to clue me in. And I am sure that many people under 40 are in this camp.
That said, I think people not knowing the specifics may be a good thing. First of all, while it is a bloody chapter in our history, people are looking forward. Now I am not one to say that we should forget our history (being a history buff myself); however,I think that we should learn from them. And...I think we have. As far as I know, since Vietnam, we have not had any protests end in death on American soil. That is about 40 years. Go team!
Secondly, that was an especially bad chapter in US history. Many people forgot about what was best for our country and our citizens. And many people died for their country. Regardless of what side you are on in this debate, we all can admit that there were mistakes made. People being spared these memories may be a good thing for our country.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2009-02-11 06:23 pm (UTC)Many people have not heard of this. I only heard of them my senior year college from a friend of mine that lives very close to Kent State. I know for me, I knew of the various protests for Vietnam and that some of them turned bloody. But I couldn't tell you where most of them took place or what happened. Again, in this case, someone had to clue me in. And I am sure that many people under 40 are in this camp.
That said, I think people not knowing the specifics may be a good thing. First of all, while it is a bloody chapter in our history, people are looking forward. Now I am not one to say that we should forget our history (being a history buff myself); however,I think that we should learn from them. And...I think we have. As far as I know, since Vietnam, we have not had any protests end in death on American soil. That is about 40 years. Go team!
Secondly, that was an especially bad chapter in US history. Many people forgot about what was best for our country and our citizens. And many people died for their country. Regardless of what side you are on in this debate, we all can admit that there were mistakes made. People being spared these memories may be a good thing for our country.
Just some thoughts from a humble 30-something.
S