Media Arts Students:
Tonight's homework, as we continue our early explorations of the incident at Kent State Universtiy some forty years ago, is to listen to the words of then student photojournalist John Filo. Mr. Filo snapped one of the most recognizable photographs in modern day journalism, minutes after the shootings at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. Read the information on this web site and listen to Mr. Filo himself as he retells the events that lead to what some have called the "Kent State Massacre."
I couldnt get the interview on my computer. I do think it was cool that the photo got John Filo a Pulitzer Prize in 1971. I also found out that the 20 years old Jeffery Miller ,( student shot in photograph), had used tear gas against the Ohio national guard during the protest. In responce to these shootings, 100,000 people held a demmonstration and protest in Washington D.C.
ReplyDeleteI believe the tone of his voice is a little too casual to be talking about such a horrible event in our countries' history. I thought he'd have more emotion in his voice after seeing the dead student and the horror that ensued the shooting.
ReplyDeleteEven though you already told us the reason for picking this song (that the 40th anniversary of it is this year), another reason for picking this song over others could be because it combines another form of media: Photojournalism. You could have picked any song that came out forty years ago but most wouldn't have news coverage to go along with it. Way to bring different forms of media together!
ReplyDeleteNow actually about the homework...
Do you know when he made the recording? I think one of the reasons why he doesn't have more emotion is because it wasn't made right after this happened. The time in between allowed him to cope with everything he saw. On "tragic shows" (shows about actual events not scripted) the families often sound like John Filo sounded because of the cope time.
Thanks for the post, kiddles!
ReplyDeleteJulia's follow up to Alex's post is right on: the interview in question happened years...perhaps even decades...after the event. I am not sure what year it was recorded. Can any of you find out? Nevertheless, nice observation, Alex. And good follow up Julia. To both responses I provide more recent reactions on which we can draw parallels: What did folks feel like on the day or week or month following 9/11? How do we view this event, going on 9 years now?
I recall a banner that was strung across a surviving (though horribily damaged) building on the edge of Ground Zero when I visited the site three weeks after the towers fell. On bright white vinyl, the red letters spelled out the words, "We Will Never Forget". True enough. But we'll also never remember it like the day it happened.
-Mr. Hoban
Although the Kent State event was a tragic time in our countries history I feel That Filo is just telling his story. This happened 40 years ago how emotinal should the man be? I am sure as a photo journalist he has seen many horrific situations. Through Filo's picture the world was able to learn about the National Guards brutality against students that were not armed.
ReplyDeleteI think it was really interesting that there was a burning of a building on campus prior to this event. I also agree with alex that Mr. Filo did not show any emotion, he talked as if he was reading a book or something.
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