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The Orangeburg Massacre 50 Years On

Dr. Cleveland Sellers
sc.edu

On Feb 8, 1968, three South Carolina State College students were killed and 27 others were wounded by State Highway Patrolmen. Civil rights activist Cleveland Sellers and Journalist Jack Bass reflect on the events which many consider a stain on South Carolina's reputation that remains, five decades later. 

  Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. on the South Carolina Channel, examine the tragedy of the Orangeburg Massacre in depth in the special “Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre 1968.”  Through interviews and archival material, this documentary examines the tumultuous events of that day from a variety of perspectives.  This special is followed at 9 p.m. by “The Orangeburg Massacre:  Remembrances and Reckoning,”  an SCETV production commemorating the 50th anniversary of this tragic event during the Civil Rights Movement that occurred on Feb. 8, 1968.    Hosted by ETV’s Beryl Dakers, this program features guests Congressman James Clyburn, Civil Rights activist Cleveland Sellers  and others who will discuss the legacy of what some call an “unhealed scar” on the state’s reputation. 

Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.