May 4 Reflections

For so many individuals, the events of and surrounding May 4, 1970, remain a vivid memory nearly 50 years later. There is no doubt that the events of May 4, 1970, greatly affected our nation’s universities, our communities, and even our country’s history. We invite you to discover a diverse collection of stories, poems, personal reflections and some class projects that help us all to inquire, learn and reflect on that day.

 

  • 50 AFTER 13
    The legacy of May 4th affects all students at Kent State University. For nearly 50 years, they have walked the same grounds where four students were killed while many were exercising their First Amendment rights, protesting a war. What happened, why it happened and what it means—those questions have been asked, again and again, since 1970. As the 50th commemoration approaches, however, students from the Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication asked other questions: In what ways are the lessons of May 4th relevant today? How do current Kent State students view the tragedy? What does it look like through their lens? These questions were addressed during spring semester 2019 by more than 30 students from three classes taught by Associate Professor Jacqueline Marino and Assistant Professor Dave Foster.
    The results of their work can be viewed at https://studentsonmay4.com/ 
  • ORDERED RESTORED
    An original poem by Bob Bader to give the students that died that tragic day, May 4, 1970, a voice as well as the guardsman.  This poem expresses what happens when authority runs amuck.  Bob has been writing poetry for over 20 years and is a member of the Utah State Poetry Society, UTSPS. 
    Click here to view the poem