KENT STATE : THE DUAL ROLE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Protest Student
It is my first amendment right to protest and assemble peaceably in a public area. The policemen and guardsmen’s job is to protect its citizens, but instead it has killed them. America was founded on these rights of the individual citizen to have a voice if he/she does not agree with their government or government’s actions. If I do not protest and stand up for my constitutional rights, then they are dead documents. They mean nothing without action. The government has overstepped its place in American society and is forcing people I know to go to a war it does not belong in and that its citizens are against. Because this is a democratic nation, supposed to be run by its people, how can the government and its leaders not listen to us? This is the reason why I stand against this war, and I have the right and the moral obligation to protest and if necessary riot against these governmental decisions. As Teddy Roosevelt once said (approximately) a democratic nation that does not question its leaders and no longer actively and public takes a role in political decisions has failed as a nation and as a people. I am going to stand up for what I believe in. This war in Vietnam is wrong and fueled by governmental agendas not in the interest of its people. That is why I am at Kent State today, raising my hands to the sky and shouting obscenities at people who suppress us. The guardsmen have overstepped their position and are no longer protectors of the state that is the people. They are little dolls on strings moved by a government that is one step closer to tyranny. That is why I throw rocks at them and that is why I yell at them. I have more of a right to be here than they do. They should not be here, if they are not going to do their jobs. It seems they know they are above the law as they turn on us, rightful citizens of the U.S., and fire. This event at Kent State, the brutal and unprovoked attack on innocents is just one more reason why our government is going down the wrong path. Not only does it send its children away (people the same age as me) to fight in Vietnam to die for no apparent reason, likewise for no apparent reason —except hate—it has fired on its children in an educational setting (a college) making us martyrs in a war that isn’t ours. It seems the government enjoys killing its future. I think I’ll go throw some more rocks at those f***ers. Every little bit counts.

National Guardsmen
I believe I was picked to be here today in a crowd with all these yuppies. Why do these young kids think they know everything? All their protesting is tearing at the seems of our nation. If they don’t want to be a part of it then they can go some place else. All protestors actions are violent and disturb the peace. We are already at war, why do they have to make things worse? Youthful arrogance fuels this conflict. They have no respect for authority and the law of the land that protects them. What would they do without the government they spit on? They take it for granted like most their age. They’re ruining the face of this nation and making my day hell. I am just doing my job, abiding by orders. They have no right to throw things at me and yell at me. How dare them! They’re breaking the law and I must uphold my principles, too. I’ve been trained for this, I am in the right, I have the law by my side. I can’t them think they’ve got the best of me or my superiors. I know how to show respect to authority. I work hard for what I have and the government has always been there for me. They think with all their “constitutional rights” talk they can cause violence and riots in the streets. They just use that speech to justify their law-breaking. I can’t let them make a fool out of me or the government I represent. I voted for Nixon, damnit! If they think the silent majority of decent, hard-working older folks is going to just stand by while they overturn this nation, they have another thing coming. Our voice will be heard, too. I am a law-abiding citizen, doing my duty for America, something these yuppies know nothing about. And they keep throwing stuff at us! What idiots, I’ve got a gun in my hand, you morons. What disrespectful dumbies! There is a reason why I’m armed, you know. To protect the peace, uphold America’s laws. What I wouldn’t give to pop one of those suckers in the eye. I’ve been standing here all day taking abuse. Don’t they know what pressure we’re under? Do they even care? Probably not. We’re marching away from yet another student protest, standing in perfect formation even while they try their best to bring us down, the institutions of America. I feel like I’m an extension of this and have a larger purpose in mind. But wait! I heard something, something’s going on behind us! I think we got the order to fire, I don’t know for sure. I can feel the adrenaline rush of fear and excitement. I’m turning without even thinking about it, raising my gun to my shoulder in practiced calm. I’m trained for this, finally we‘re doing something about these demonstrators. They’ve gone too far. Here’s one for the silent majority of America.