Kent State

This is the 40th anniversary of the Kent State massacre. It is one of the more important dates in my political maturation. Of course the assassination of John, Bobby, and Martin affected me -- but they were at unattainable levels -- highly visible leaders. Being outside of the Chicago Democratic Convention was big but I wasn't in the front lines -- I was way back in the crowd and again I thought only the leaders out front were the ones at risk. Kent State was me and I realized I could be assassinated for my views. The demonstrations were no longer fun events but serious expressions of my views -- views I had to be willing to die for. I've never stopped demonstrating but it was much more serious after Kent State.