That's what I thought.

[ysobelle]

See, the reason I asked is that at work the other day, it was just me and one coworker. We had my iPod in, and CSN&Y's "Ohio" came on.

"Oh, I LOVE this song!" she said.

I nodded. "Yeah. A few years ago, when I lived out that way, some friends of mine took me on a tour of the campus, right after one of the anniversary memorials. It was really, really disturbing and sad."

Blank look.

"Um...Kent State? The student shootings?"

Crickets.

Now, I know this woman is dumb as a box of hammers. Really. But she had never heard of Kent State. She had never heard of the protests. I'm actually surprised she had ever heard of Vietnam. I was somewhat stunned, and I started to wonder, "Is that normal? Do people just not know about it any more?" So no, I'm relieved to find that it's not completely forgotten, that people still know what happened there, and how important it was.

And for the record? She's 47.

Comments

[sjbpharmd.livejournal.com]

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.

Just some thoughts from a humble 30-something.

S

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

You might wanna check your stats on that, hon. Cos I'm thinking of the L.A. riots-- just one example-- and that doesn't sound right.

And MOVE was a protest.

[sjbpharmd.livejournal.com]

We are still progressing. The worst riots in American history occurred during the Civil War.

But to your LA riot statistic...it is tough to compare what happened at Kent State to the LA riots. National Guard compared to cops. And Civil disobedience to ran-sacking and fire starting.

So yes, while there was 53 people that died in the LA riots, I don't consider that on the same level.

[regalpewter.livejournal.com]

Wounded Knee '73
Ruby Ridge
Among others that can be argued as protests.

YIS,
WRI

[grinning-fox.livejournal.com]

You know, I was channel surfing with the menfolk of the House yesterday and we came across something about Ivan the Terrible on the History Channel or something. It being History Channel, of course, I was forced to stop and watch. The narrator kept going on about how unforgettable and epic and yadda yadda...eventually I had enough and announced, "Because you people won't let it beek alone!" Now...there are somethings we certainly need to remember so we don't do them again, however...I can entirely sympathize with the desire to move forward from our ugliness, to have learned and get on with living instead of wallowing in the horrors of yesteryear and all that jazz. (political rant truncated here)

...I gotta admit, I was surprised to hear about this. I thought everyone knew that song was about the Kent State dealieo. ...then again, I thought everyone knew how to turn off the light on a fishtank until yesterday =( Some people have infinite capacity to amaze with the differences between what we know and what they know. Really...really infinite.

(Still. Seriously? Dude. It was only sort of the one thing the social studies people harp on until we turn blue in the face and whatnot...)

[sjbpharmd.livejournal.com]

I was in Pharmacy school. The only history I had to learn was who discovered opium.

[murcury.livejournal.com]

People being spared these memories may be a good thing for our country.

I think we're spared enough. We need to be constantly reminded of how shite things were and are-because they are about to get much, much worse. Lock and load.

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!

Just the death of some rights and no real 'redress of grievances'. Can you say 'free speech zone'? Sure ya can.