Member-only story

The Kent State Shootings: A Photographer's Perspective

Evan Simmons

·6.1k Followers· Follow

Published in Moments Of Truth: A Photographer S Experience Of Kent State 1970

4 min read · 1 month before

744 View Claps

43 Respond

Save

Listen

A Black And White Photograph Of A Group Of College Students Running Away From A Line Of National Guardsmen Who Are Firing Their Rifles. In The Foreground, A Young Woman Lies On The Ground, Dead. Moments Of Truth: A Photographer S Experience Of Kent State 1970

Moments of Truth: A Photographer’s Experience of Kent State 1970

by Glenn Randall

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	46486 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	220 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

On May 4, 1970, National Guardsmen opened fire on a group of unarmed college students at Kent State University in Ohio, killing four and wounding nine. Photographer John Filo captured the iconic image of the shooting, which became a symbol of the Vietnam War era's anti-war movement.

Filo was a young photographer for the Kent State University Daily Kent Stater at the time of the shootings. He was covering a protest against the Cambodian Campaign, which had begun two days earlier. The protest was peaceful until the National Guardsmen arrived on campus and began firing tear gas and rubber bullets at the students. Filo was caught in the middle of the chaos, but he managed to take several photographs of the shooting.

One of Filo's photographs, which shows a young woman named Mary Ann Vecchio screaming in terror as she runs away from the gunfire, became an iconic image of the Kent State shootings. The photograph was published in newspapers and magazines around the world, and it helped to galvanize the anti-war movement. Filo's photograph also won the Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography in 1971.

Filo has said that he is still haunted by the events of May 4, 1970. He has spoken out against gun violence and the use of excessive force by law enforcement. He has also worked to promote peace and understanding through his photography.

The Impact of the Kent State Shootings

The Kent State shootings had a profound impact on American society. The shootings helped to turn public opinion against the Vietnam War and led to a decline in support for the war effort. The shootings also sparked a national debate about the use of force by law enforcement and the rights of protesters.

The Kent State shootings remain a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of protecting our civil liberties. Filo's photograph of the shootings is a powerful reminder of the events of that day and the impact they had on American history.

John Filo's Legacy

John Filo is one of the most influential photojournalists of his generation. His work has helped to shape our understanding of some of the most important events of the 20th century. Filo's photographs have been published in newspapers and magazines around the world, and they have been exhibited in museums and galleries. He has also won numerous awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography in 1971.

Filo's legacy is one of truth-telling and social justice. His photographs have helped to expose injustice and to promote peace and understanding. He is a true American hero.

Moments of Truth: A Photographer’s Experience of Kent State 1970

by Glenn Randall

4.7 out of 5