I'm Part Of Kent State Shooting
By: Julia Brown
Today, may 4, 1970. It seemed like a nice day for the University's Campus because many students including my best Friends were deciding to attend a strike against some plan Nixon was trying to attempt in Cambodia. My classes were almost ending for me since the last day was June 6. I was very exited that this day all student were excused to go out campus to strike which motivated me to go more since i'll be able to skip class for a bit. As I waked around the halls to get in my first hour, I saw a ton of students preparing their posters and tools in their lockers once noon hit. Although it seemed fun for me and my friends, yet there was this small omen or thought that something would eventually heat up the place because I've seen this in TV where other Africans, immigrants, or other people who strike for justice would cause chaos. As I noticed the clock, time went by so fast like if it wanted this strike to happen as soon as possible. I found it really weird but in a blink of an eye, it was already 12:00. Once I was outside with my friends waiting for the signal to start the marching. 30 minutes passed and we all were in the commons of the University, then my eyes caught many National Guardsmen downhill standing still and waiting with tear gas in their hands. I was nervous and shaking once the crowd start to shout out loud "Pigs Off Campus". Of course that pissed the guardsmen off. Which then surrounded us with tear gas everywhere. I was panicking, I lost my friends as I barely turned my head to the other side. Then the riot began and not only 5 minutes where in a matter of 5 seconds I heard gun shots but I stayed still in my position due to the shock I was in. Then there was a pause in those seconds, where there was that image i'll never forget. The guards shooting, tear gas fading away, everyone out of place, and bodies in the ground. I'll never forget that image were I literally didn't see the Kent State Shooting, but i saw War. Like the Vietnam War. When I came back to my senses I began to scream but just at that in instant, I felt a stab in my right hip. I was shot from one of the bullets the guardsmen have fired. I touched the spot I was hit and saw my hand was full of blood, that's when I fainted.