https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5 en-us 2022-02-08 17:10:36 UTC 2025-04-16 20:46:44 UTC hello@padlet.com ralmeida2024 https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2036038647 Kent State dives deep into an argument about the shooting of a group of college students that were protesting the Vietnam war at Kent State. It dives deep into the mentality of both sides of the argument. In Kent State, the townspeople are scared of the protestors; they feel unsafe and threatened by the protesters in their town. This leads to the Ohio Guard being called into town and subsequent murders of four Kent State students that were protesting. The townspeople’s fears and paranoia made them feel like the protestors were attacking them and their way of life, when, in reality, they were fighting for their rights. The shooting at Kent State is a prime example of how paranoia and the fear of change can make people feel attacked and threatened by activists, who just want to make the world more equal and fair. ]]> 2022-02-08 17:16:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2036038647 ralmeida2024 https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2036042289 In Dogzilla a dog enters a town of mice. The mice are frightened and intimidated by the intruder and send the mouse military to drive the dog out. Even though this is a story about rodents and a photorealistic canine, this parallels events that happen in the real world. Such as Kent State where, because of the frightened townspeople, the Ohio Guard is called to suppress the protesters.  ]]> 2022-02-08 17:17:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2036042289 ralmeida2024 https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2036196589 Jordan's review of Kent State compares the problems and conflicts in the novel to the conflicts and problems today. Questions of rights, activism, and protests are as relevant today as they were during the time of the Kent State shooting. This review made me think deeper and make deeper, more relevant real-world connections about Kent State.  It shows how these problems are still prevalent and demonstrates how history can teach you about the problems of the past that are still relevant in the present. ]]> 2022-02-08 18:22:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2036196589 ralmeida2024 https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2040906937 "Protests are as old as human collective action." Whether it's at a sporting event or overthrowing a government, protests have been an integral component to the story of humans. Even though protests can be chaotic and turbulent, they are very predictable. This article breaks down the science of protests and boils it down to 7 key ingredients for a protest. If a group of people has a lack of trust in the government, shared grievances, shared intensity, geographic proximity, anonymity, efficiency, and survival triggers they have the capability to protest. ]]> 2022-02-10 18:25:20 UTC https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2040906937 ralmeida2024 https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2041299013 The fear of changing and evolving is a signature human emotion. Why change if you are comfortable here? Well, because without change there is no progression. In this poem, the author expresses their struggles with accepting this truth of change. The author doesn't want to grow up, to step into the real world. The author is stubborn and their ambition is being weighed down by their fear. This is what I feel many people feel and it is what I think the people in Kent felt. The people of the town were scared of the activist because they were scared of change. They were comfortable and satisfied. They felt like, what many people may still feel today, that the change would bring change to their life, to their comfort. ]]> 2022-02-10 22:39:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2041299013 ralmeida2024 https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2041329429 Fortunate Son became the anthem of the anti-war, counter-culture movement of the Vietnam era. The song portrays the common sentiment that was held between the soldiers that fought in the war. That the war was unnecessary and affected people unfairly. It depicts how people were disproportionally affected by things like the draft. Many rich people with connections, or 'Fortunate Sons', could dodge the draft and not fight. Fortunate Son illustrates the artists' and the American people's frustration and fatigue with the war while also portraying the inequality of who was affected by it. ]]> 2022-02-10 23:13:24 UTC https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2041329429 ralmeida2024 https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2041338681 Ever since the beginnings of society, humans have protested, revolted, resisted, and fought for what they think is right and just. Whether good or bad, it is human nature to fight for what you think is right. When people's ideas of right and wrong clash, conflict is sparked. When people are comfortable, they are scared of losing that comfort. People are naturally resistant to change, even change for the good. So, when people feel as though their livelihood or their comfort is being challenged they are even more resistant to change. Activists face these challenges when trying to change society, even for the better. It is important to understand this because to progress we must change. It may be scary but it is an inevitability. 

This text set is was curated to provide people with a look into the ideas of activism, change, and breaking the status quo. I recommend starting with the Forbes article "Psychological Research Explains Why People Protest" by Nicole F. Roberts. This article provides an in-depth look into the psychology of protesting and tries to answer why people protest. It is a great starting point that gives knowledge to build upon later. After that, I would listen to the song "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. This gives a look into the mindset of the American people during the time of the Vietnam war. It shows how the US had the ingredients for protest as listed in the previous article. "Fortunate Son" is a great encapsulation of the frustration and anger of the people. Next in the set is the novel "Kent State" by Deborah Wiles. This novel follows an argument about the shooting of a group of Kent State students that were protesting the Vietnam War. The novel showcases the danger and violence that fear and paranoia can bring. It shows how the fear of the activists and protesters killed four students. The novel dives deep into each side of the argument and provides each side's perspective. After that, I would read the children's book "Dogzilla" by Dav Pilkey. Even though it is about mice and a dog it has strong parallels to the events of Kent State; the town of mice call in the military to get rid of the big, scary dog. Afterward, I would read a review about Kent State by Roberta Jordan. This review draws connections between the events in Kent State to the events happening today. It shows how some lessons are timeless and the events of the past can be used to solve the problems of the future. Lastly, I would read the poem, "The Fear of Change". This poem depicts the author's struggle to change in order to pursue their ambitions. How they are stubborn and resistant to change. It relates to the themes throughout this text set, the theme of changing to progress, and how that can be scary. This theme is not just prevalent on the societal, national, or even global level, it is something that we all have to deal with on a personal level. ]]> 2022-02-10 23:24:25 UTC https://padlet.com/ralmeida2024/stur46vnoz7cw1s5/wish/2041338681