Four Dead in Ohio

The song “Ohio,” written by Neil Young and performed later by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, was a protest song written in response to the death of four students at Kent State University during a protest over the Vietnam conflict.

When the topic of war arises, it is almost always paired with the topic of protest. War and the protest of it go hand in hand, as one will always exist while the other is present. This became especially true during the Vietnam conflict of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Young adults, especially college students, greatly disapproved of the war and organized mass protests and events to show their discontent. One of these organized protests took place at the Kent State campus in Ohio.



Starting May 1, 1970, students at Kent State University started a protest against the US invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam conflict. After days of heated clashes with police, the National Guard was called in, and on May 4th violence broke out and the Guard opened fire on protesters  killing four and injuring nine more. The students were unarmed and the nation went up in outrage upon seeing soldiers fire upon unarmed civilians. The news was on the front cover of Life magazine, which is what apparently inspired Neil Young to write "Ohio."

Mary Ann Vecchio kneels beside Jeffrey Miller, one of four Kent State students killed 

“Ohio,” was a very controversial song when it was released. It brought up a very flammable topic and criticized the current administration when saying “Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,” and was even banned from some radio stations. The song brings up graphic imagery with the phrases “soldiers are gunning us down,” and “found her dead on the ground.” The lyrics bring up a feeling of disdain, especially with the recurring phrase of “four dead in Ohio.” The song was influential for its time and was groundbreaking in its blatant challenge to the president and his administration.

 

• Keerdoja, Eileen. "Kent State's Haunting Legacy." Newsweek 28 Apr. 1980, United States  ed., Update sec.: 15. Print.

• "New Light Shed On Kent State Shooting." American History 45.4 (2010): 7. World       History Collection. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.