The 1970 Kent State Shootings Through The Eyes Of A Child

On May 4th, 1970, Ohio National Guard troops killed four students and wounded nine others during the course of an anti-war protest at Kent State University. For years, that story’s been told through the sounds of shouting protesters, marching guardsmen and 13 seconds of gunfire. But, Emily Petrou has some different memories. She was a little girl that year, and her diary describes those disturbing events through the eyes of a child. ideastream’s David C. Barnett and Mary Fecteau prepared this report.

[@fritzmenzel1994]

I came here today as part of my deep dive into the tragedy and its victims, triggered by Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s substack where today he posted a link to CSN&Y’s “Ohio”. This little video is so touching and a perfect wrap-up to my dive. In fact, I’ll post a link to this there. Thank you! Peace.

[@davereese6614]

What a fascinating perspective. Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@dianeramos5829]

Dear Emily, I stumbled upon your story on line since we can not get PBS stations on AIR TV in Euclid, Ohio along the lakeshore...[the FCC mandated repack frequency back in August 2019...ugh...never have I grown up without seeing PBS...we cut the cable cord 5 years ago]. I grew up in South Euclid in 1970 and turned 10 that same year. You captured so much of how I felt back then as a child even though I didn't live in Kent. We kids always went through so much terrible news all the time... but I felt like you with this news...and sometimes the news stories were a little exciting...scarey...but then nobody told us kids what happened as you said. I always tell adults today to never ever underestimate what a child is going in their thoughts when they hear the news. Kids are way smarter than adults think. Thanks so much and so glad they chose you and your mom for this moment in history. To hear the tragic Kent State history from those who actually lived so close near the campus. Be safe and social distancing hugs to all.

[@dingoproductions]

Thank you for your kind words, Diane! Indeed, we grew up in terrible, violent times, but since we didn't have a 24 hour news cycle or the internet, we managed to escape a lot of the horror as children. Of course the Kent State tragedy happening in my own back yard had a huge impact...it hit my older sisters, who were teens, much harder.

[@LaurelsPeace]

Thank you for sharing your Kent State Truth! Peace ☮️ ✌️

[@dingoproductions]

You sister will never be forgotten, Laurel.

[@robertbeerbohm8317]

Thank you, Emily

[@dingoproductions]

You're welcome!

[@692ALBANNACH]

I lived on the same kind of street as she did. Every house had 6 ,5, 4 kids in it !

[@nikolaospeterson2495]

I have been crying all afternoon as I have watched multiple videos on this horrid tragety at kent State (inspired bythe CSNY rock band's song ?Ohio'. My Heart still goes out to those who have suffered iminesly of this terrible chapterin American history. Even today the lessons of KT have NOT be learned! Tha refquent mass shootings, thus the violence in Amerika is still ever presentt. WHEN WILL AMERICA LEARN!? So sad. (I am still a youth myself a male late teen and though this is now history just seeingthat one iconic photo of Jeff Muller shot deat withthat women scraming and crying over tis horrror causes me to buurst into tears myself).

[@JW-gu9vy]

Thank you for your excellent story. I gtew up in Medina. 65-81

[@joeelwell162]

have any of the killers that killed the kent students been identified?

[@DRE383]

what are the names of the National Guardsmen that were there that day? which National Guardsmen came back with less ammo?

[@herculeanmeal9270]

Tin soldiers Nixon coming 4 dead in Ohio

[@gidgetgucci4578]

State Goveners soldiers ...

[@sydneypitts355]

What's kick the can?

[@Ddrhl]

A game my next door neighbor called the cops on us for playing too loudly in the street at night!

[@arladicey]

It's a game, where you use an old tin can like a football or soccer ball.

[@tmac8892]

Soccer with a can crushed flat

[@dingoproductions]

It's a sort of hide and seek game where there's a can (not flattened) that is held at "home base". The only way to release to kids caught and held at home base is to kick the can, and escape the person who is "it", i.e. the captor. This is usually done when "It" is out looking for others to capture. It was so much fun back in the day and I wish kids were still playing this sort of thing. It was truly exhilarating to be the person who kicked the can!

[@692ALBANNACH]

@@dingoproductions Growing up we played this plus another game that we just called THE GAME. Still remember being 7 or 8 and first hearing around the neighbourhood ." We're going to be playing THE GAME tonight."

[@redracer036]

Listen I get free speech we should all have it. If you want to protest to make a point ok. BUT that does not give you the right to destroy, burn or vandalize property that does not belong to you. Unfortunately, I could not comment on another video and found this one to make a comment. The circumstances at Kent stand were bad but didn't need to happen by BOTH parties.

[@86bushi]

Free Palestine ❤