joseph kelner's thoughts on the generation
Joseph Kelner, the main plaintiff lawyer in the court cases involving the shootings, wrote an unpublished work, “Kent State: The Responsibility Remains Covered Up,” which was obtained from the Yale Archives. In it he gives a touching memorial to the students. The following are a few pages from it.
This excerpt sums up the students incredibly well: “History may record that the college students in 1970 America were years ahead of their busy elders in protesting our involvement in the Viet Nam - Cambodian fiasco. The college kids were not mostly empty-headed swingers dedicated to pot and sex, long hair and smashing windows. They were, with some exceptions, perhaps the most idealistic, clear thinking generation ever to come along. They asked penetrating questions and really gave a damn about American dreams and ideals. Their protests were regarded as a threat by elected officials who let our cities rot while feeding our voracious military industrial complex flexing it muscles on the other side of the world,” (Kelner).
All pictures in slideshow: Kelner, Joseph. "Kent State: The Responsibility Remains Covered up." N.d. MS. Kent State Collection (MS 804). Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library.