Our day began with a visit to Kent State University. Billy gave us a historical overview of what happened on May 4th, 1970. We spoke about what it means to live in a country that prides itself on freedom of speech but then turns itself on people using that freedom. We got off the bus at the campus and met Alan Canfora. He is a man who was shot at the protests. His name is on a plaque commemoration the 4 students who died and the other 11 who were injured. He took us on a tour of the campus and taught us how the events unfolded from May 1 – 4. He was very fair to keep mentioning that the students were not blameless n the riots but did not feel that that National Guard’s response of 67 gunshots was warranted. It was an incredible feeling to be standing on the exact spot where the events we were hearing about, and the pictures we were seeing, happened. It was moving to watch Alan basically hug the tree that saved his life. Alan pointed out to us that 3 of the 4 students who died were Jewish. We ended by visiting the markers in the parking lot where the students died and we paid tribute to them. It was an incredible experience.

We then drove 45 minutes to Cleveland. Billy explained how Cleveland has resurrected itself from its earlier image as the mistake by the lake. We visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. We have learned much about the power of music to help create change in the world. The Assistant Director, Howard Kramer, met us and he spoke about rock music’s role in social change. We were able to tour the museum in small groups so everyone ran to their favorite artists and saw so much.

Earlier in the day our bus had started having problems so we switched it for the day with another bus. We went back to the repair shop in Alliance, OH to pick up our old bus but it wasn’t ready yet. As we wee waiting, the repair shop owner, Buddy, started asking about our journey. We told him about Kent State and he informed us that he had friends who were in the National Guard at Kent State that day. He went to dinner with us at a local diner and told us his version of the story. Everyone agreed that this was a great way to end the day and how valuable it is to hear all sides and how confusing it can be when there is more than one side to each story. If we have learned anything on this trip it is that we have to keep looking at all sides of issues to find the truth and before we can really make our decisions.

Alan Canfora, a survivor of the Kent State shootings, telling us his story at the May 4th memorial on the Kent State campus

Alan at one of the memorals at the spot where one of the students was killed

Alan showing us the tree that saved his life as he fell behind it once he was shot and avoided other bullets

The diner and our new friend Buddy in Alliance, Ohio

Howard Kramer, assistant director of the Rock and Roll museum, speaking to us