The evolution of the Kent State gun girl – UConn Daily Campus

Last Tuesday, Kaitlin Bennett was trending on Twitter after being met with riots during her visit to Ohio University. While trying to film a segment for her YouTube channel, Liberty Hangout, Bennett was bombarded by Ohio students who made it clear that herpresence was unwelcome. With such heavy backlash on Bennetts controversial methods of displaying her political opinions, especially from college students, I thought it would be important to spread awareness of the situation.

You probably know her betteras the Kent State Gun Girl. Kaitlin Bennettsmedia debut was undoubtedly her graduation photosetfeaturing an AR-10 rifle strapped to her back. In her YouTube video, How My Graduation Photo Changed My Life, she explains how her motive for thevexed decision actually came from her brothers idea.

Since Kent States policy prohibits students from carrying firearms on campus, but not guests, Justin said I should come back to campus with a rifle after I graduate to show how I couldnt even conceal-carry my handgun as a student, but could come back with an AR-10 and a 30-round magazine strapped to my back later that same day.

Since then, Bennett has changed the structure of her YouTube channel to visiting protests, parades and college campuses to interview pedestrians. Many have criticized the nature of her questions as they are interpreted to help support her own opinions rather than accepting others. Questions like What do you think about putting urinals in the womens restroom? and Should we put tampons in the mens restroom? have become infamously linked to Bennett. Her tendencies to ask questions regarding gender and sexuality have been denounced on social media for herdesignation to filter out certain answers, only to question or deny those who do not comply.

Bennetts manner of interviewing is not the only thing that has been the topic of such scrutiny. Clips of her saying controversial statements, including claiming to be a woman of color, have circulated online, resulting in even more backlash regarding her defense against protesters. Because of this, students are becoming aware of her campus visits, resulting in events such as Ohio University.

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The evolution of the Kent State gun girl - UConn Daily Campus