The May 4, 1970 Kent State University Shootings: Thirty Years of Myths, Memorials and Commemorations
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UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2000 The May 4, 1970 Kent State University shootings: Thirty years of myths, memorials and commemorations Mona Doreen Greenberg University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Greenberg, Mona Doreen, "The May 4, 1970 Kent State University shootings: Thirty years of myths, memorials and commemorations" (2000). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1199. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/imrt-l1l0 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE MAY 4, 1970 KENT STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTINGS: THIRTY YEARS OF MYTHS, MEMORIALS AND COMMEMORATIONS by Mona Doreen Greenberg Bachelor Of Arts, Communications Cum Laude University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1998 Associates Degree Pennsylvania State University, Abington, Pennsylvania 1995 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree Hank Greenspun School of Communication Studies Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 2000 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1403072 Copyright 2001 by Greenberg, Mona Doreen All rights reserved. UMI UMI Microform 1403072 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Leaming Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Leaming Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by Mona Doreen Greenberg 2001 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval UNIV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas November 22_____ 2000 The Thesis prepared by Mona Doreen Greenberg Entitled The May 4, 1970 Kent State University Rbnmringg, Thirty Years of Myths, Memorials and Commemorations is approved in partial fulfillm ent of the requirements for the degree of M a s t e r o f A rts Examination Comimttee Chair Dean of the Graduate College Examinqtii nttee Mem jfer Examination CommitteeA^ember-examination i^ommittee/iviemoer Graduate College Faculty Representative P R /1017-53/i-oo 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT The May 4,1970 Kent State University Shootings: Thirty Years of Myths, Memorials and Commemorations by Mona Doreen Greenberg Dr. Richard Jensen, Examination Committee Chair Professor, Hank Greenspun School of Communication University of Nevada, Las Vegas On May 4, 1970, four students were killed and nine injured on the campus of Kent State University by the Ohio National Guard. This study examines and utilizes Braden's theory on myths to structure and analyze the rhetoric relevant to the myths, memorials and commemorations for the students killed and injured at Kent State University. The exploratory process focused on the events from 1970 until the present. The research was conducted through personal interviews with eyewitnesses, wounded victims, and friends of the deceased. Books, academic articles on social movements, newspaper and news magazine articles were reviewed to study the historical and cultural environment at the time of the shootings. The analysis supports the importance of myths, memorials and commemorations and suggests that a lack in communication contributed to the outcome on May 4, 1970. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT................................................................................................................... iîi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..............................................................................................v Dedication ................................................................................................................vl CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION.............................................................................1 Review of Literature ..............................................................................................12 Methodology ..........................................................................................................26 CHAPTER TWO CHRONOLOGY.......................................................................... 34 Interviews ............................................................................................................... 46 Chapter Conclusion ..............................................................................................59 CHAPTER THREE COMMEMORATIVES............................................................. 62 Chapter Conclusion ..............................................................................................94 CHAPTER FOUR MEMORIALS AND MYTHS......................................................97 Chapter Conclusion ............................................................................................112 CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSION........................................................................... 114 Future Research ................................................................................................. 122 APPENDICES........................................................................................................... 124 BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................... 138 VITA............................................................................................................................148 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are meaningful moments in one’s life and this is one of those. Words cannot adequately express the appreciation and warm feelings I have for my supportive friends and family members, especially my son, mother and cousin Eddy. They were there for me throughout the process of writing this thesis with their love, inspiration and encouragement. I would like to express my genuine appreciation to the remarkable individuals who shared their time, personal pain and memories with me. Thank you Alan Canfora, David Frank, Janet Weiss Gamzon, Professor Jerry M. Lewis, John Przybys, Roy Skellenger, Eric Smith, and Rick Sturtevant. In addition, I would like to thank Nancy Birk, archivist at Kent State University and the May 4*^ Task Force for their time, insight and assistance. I would like to give special mention to Dr. Gregory Payne from Emerson College, who shared his personal time and invaluable research with me. I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to some very special people for their loyal support. Thank you Dr. Paul Ferguson, Dr. Gage Chapel, Dr. Anthony Ferri, and Susan Schiller. Finally, I would like to express a special thank you to my most devoted friend, Darrell Meyer, for his unwavering support to me during the writing of this thesis. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. This thesis is dedicated to the three most