Lessons from Kent State: Is history repeating itself at colleges nationwide?

As Kent State University prepares to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the May 4 shootings , some people can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu.

Roseann "Chic" Canfora, who was an eyewitness to the events of May 4, said she sees many parallels between what happened in 1970 and what is happening today at Columbia University and other college campuses.

"I am sure other survivors were watching and holding their breath as they are watching things unfold on campuses now, especially in Columbia," said Canfora, whose brother Alan was one of the students wounded on May 4. "I see the dedication on standing up for the injustices they see.”

Protests across college campuses broke out starting May 1, 1970, after the United States invaded Cambodia. In the days that followed, the Kent State ROTC building near the Commons was burned to the ground and windows were broken at several downtown Kent businesses.

On May 4, 1970, the tensions tragically culminated with members of the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of demonstrators on the Kent State campus, killing four and wounding nine.

Today, students nationwide have been demonstrating against the Israel-Hamas war and demanding universities end their investments in Israel. Protesters and police have clashed at pro-Palestinian encampments at Columbia University and UCLA, drawing national attention. Pro-Israel demonstrations also have occurred.

The causes prompting the demonstrations more than five decades apart are different, but the student passion is familiar to Canfora.

“I find it heartwarming to see them taking a stand on these issues,” she said. “College students have served as the conscience for the nation.”

Kent State President Todd Diacon noted that similar protests over the Vietnam War also erupted at Columbia University in 1968.

"They even occupied the same building they are occupying now," Diacon said.

Kent State’s Students for Justice in Palestine is encouraging its supporters to participate in Saturday’s May 4 commemoration to “recognize the connection between May 4, 1970, and Palestine today.”

“Show solidarity with Palestine by displaying signs and symbols,” the group posted on its Instagram account. “Let’s pay respect to the May 4th victims and their families while continuing the movement against US militarism and imperialism.”

'The same rhetoric'

Ann Winter of the Kent State University Graduate Student Senate said she fears history may be repeating itself.

"We have seen before the aftermath and consequences of calling for law enforcement to act against peaceful protesters on college campuses," Winter said in a media release this week. "As the anniversary of the Kent State shootings draws near, we wish to bring the horrors of May 4th, 1970, to the forefront of the conversation.

“We, the Kent State University Graduate Student Senate, urge all college and university administrations across the United States to remember Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder. These are the names of the young lives lost on May 4th, 1970. These young lives, these students, are like yours."

Winter said the Graduate Student Senate condemns the way that several leaders at colleges and universities in the nation are calling for militarized police to their campuses.

"We are deeply concerned by the images and videos circulating of police brandishing firearms against students, faculty, and staff," Winter said.. "It’s troubling to witness police using stun guns and batons on students pinned to the ground and faculty thrown onto cement sidewalks as they advocate for and protect students against police brutality."

Canfora said she felt the calls for the National Guard to come to college campuses had sinister echoes of what happened 54 years ago.

"When I heard Speaker Mike Johnson's rhetoric calling for the national guard to intervene, it was a chilling callback to the rhetoric to President Nixon, Agnew and Gov. Rhodes," Canfora said. "It's irresponsible to call for this against righteous dissent and peaceful protest. These means are not to attack peaceful demonstrations. We are so close to seeing the same rhetoric, the same results, pinning American soldiers with students."

Including peace studies in the college curriculum

Diacon stressed the importance of talking civilly, even if people disagree with each other.

One of the first things that Kent State University officially did after the May 4 tragedy was to create what is now known as the School for Peace & Conflict Studies. It was originally named the Center for Peaceful Change when it was established in 1971.

"This is an academic unit at Kent State that explores ways for people who are enemies and bring them together in productive dialogue," Diacon said. "It was an important role created for that time and has remained important since then."

It makes sense, Diacon said, that people would turn to Kent State and take lessons from the university's past.

"We remember when conversation breaks down and violence erupts," Diacon said. "I think Kent State is an example of combining freedom of speech with a commitment to enhancing civic dialogue. They don't always go together; these things can be contentious. We know what happens when these passions turn to violence. It's the importance of learning when to agree, when to disagree, and keeping in mind the humanity of one's opponents."

Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Lessons from Kent State: Is history repeating itself at colleges nationwide?