Radio Wrap Script

 

On the night of February 8, 1968, a tragic and often overlooked event unfolded in Orangeburg, South Carolina, that would forever be etched in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Known as the Orangeburg Massacre, this incident saw the deaths of three young Black men and the wounding of 27 others at the hands of law enforcement officers during a peaceful protest.

Anger over the denial of Black students' access to a "whites-only" bowling alley on the South Carolina State College campus served as the impetus for the protest. As tensions between the students and the local police grew, what started out as a nonviolent demonstration swiftly turned violent. Even though the students were unarmed, they were subjected to harsh methods, which included firing live fire at the crowd.

The Orangeburg Massacre is a clear reminder of the systematic brutality and racial injustice that characterized much of America at this period, even though it may not be as well-known as other Civil Rights-era events like the Selma marches or the killings of Medgar Evers. The events in Orangeburg are a reflection of the national fight for freedom, equality, and human dignity rather than merely a tragic episode in the history of a single town.

Click here to listen to my two-and-a-half-minute report about Dr. Felani and his determination for integration and other civil rights for Black Americans. The music included is courtesy of Incompetech.