WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING PHOTO OF THE YOUNG WOMAN CRYING OUT IN HORROR OVER THE DYING BODY OF ONE OF THE STUDENTS? (From Kent.Edu)
A photograph of Mary Vecchio, a 14-year-old runaway, screaming over the body of Jeffery Miller appeared on the front pages of newspapers and magazines throughout the country, and the photographer, John Filo, was to win a Pulitzer Prize for the picture. The photo has taken on a life and importance of its own. This analysis looks at the photo, the photographer, and the impact of the photo.
The Mary Vecchio picture shows her on one knee screaming over Jeffrey Miller’s body. Mary told one of us that she was calling for help because she felt she could do nothing (Personal Interview, 4/4/94). Miller is lying on the tarmac of the Prentice Hall parking lot. One student is standing near the Miller body closer than Vecchio. Four students are seen in the immediate background.
John Filo, a Kent State photography major in 1970, continues to work as a professional newspaper photographer and editor. He was near the Prentice Hall parking lot when the Guard fired. He saw bullets hitting the ground, but he did not take cover because he thought the bullets were blanks. Of course, blanks cannot hit the ground.
The May 4 shootings at Kent State need to be remembered for several reasons. First, the shootings have come to symbolize a great American tragedy which occurred at the height of the Vietnam War era, a period in which the nation found itself deeply divided both politically and culturally. The poignant picture of Mary Vecchio kneeling in agony over Jeffrey Miller’s body, for example, will remain forever
as a reminder of the day when the Vietnam War came home to America. If the Kent State shootings will continue to be such a powerful symbol, then it is certainly important that Americans have a realistic view of the facts associated with this event. Second, May 4 at Kent State and the Vietnam War era remain controversial even today, and the need for healing continues to exist. Healing will not occur if events are either forgotten or distorted, and hence it is important to continue to search for the truth behind the events of May 4 at Kent State. Third, and most importantly, May 4 at Kent State should be remembered in order that we can learn from the mistakes of the past. The Guardsmen in their signed statement at the end of the civil trials recognized that better ways have to be found to deal with these types of confrontations. This has probably already occurred in numerous situations where law enforcement officials have issued a caution to their troops to be careful because “we don’t want another Kent State.” Insofar as this has happened, lessons have been learned, and the deaths of four young Kent State students have not been in vain.
First they burn "The Handmaid's Tale" — then you live "The Handmaid's Tale." -JPB
Today I exited Costco of Prescott with two $43 boxes of Newman’s coffee pods and two bags of cauliflower tortillas and 3 bags of Keto cereal, placed the items inside the rear hatch of my Acadia, and pressed the hatch close button. Then I saw a 4×4 pickup waiting for my spot like a Robin…
The difference between a MAGA politician and a traveling vacuum salesman is the politician leaves the dirt and takes the carpet. Coming to a town near you … 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do…
It’s About Justice. It’s about Freedom. “Have You Seen This Judge?” Last seen in the presence of lurking FBI agents summoned by ICE agents who attempted a “low hanging fruit” immigrant arrest inside a State court of law. Make Judges Safe Again! Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan was charged April 25, 2025 with two…
The U.S. Constitution was deported as Trump’s ICE Gestapo defied The Supreme Court in refusing to return a wrongly deported man. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” was written by “Obie” Benson, founding member and bass singer of Motown’s Four Tops, who witnessed the police brutal beating of Vietnam protesters in Berkeley on “Bloody Thursday” on…
“Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles, considering a different “British Invasion.” “RELEASE THE FLYING MONKEYS!!! … I hereby pardon them from all they are about to do.” Not in Kansas Anymore, Pastor Jim Up Next: “Abuelo’s Final Sacrifice”
One Comment
Comments are closed.