SC State students march to honor the Orangeburg Massacre casualties
Students from various organizations participated in the Orangeburg Massacre March and attended a bonfire in remembrance of the lives lost.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- On Wednesday, South Carolina State University students marched through campus showing their Bulldog tenacity in remembrance of the Orangeburg Massacre.
Students from various SC State organizations including the Student Government Association (SGA), NAACP, 101 Black Men, Dedicated Outstanding Ladies Living Strong (D.O.L.L.S.), and athletic programs came to show their support and honor the lives lost from the tragic event.
Students held signs and chanted commands of justice as they marched to a bonfire, which was created to symbolize the historical importance of the Orangeburg Massacre.
SC State senior and 101 Black Men President Kenard Holmes presented a speech explaining the history of the Orangeburg Massacre and significance of the march. The speech was followed by a prayer and students had the opportunity to mingle and make smores at the bonfire.
To honor the ceremony, student leaders explained why the Orangeburg Massacre March is important to them.
Kailyn Wrighten, senior agribusiness major
SGA senior class president; NAACP
“This day is monumental whether you are a student at SC State, an Orangeburg citizen or a resident of South Carolina,” Wrighten said. “It’s mind blowing how these three young men were killed over a bowling alley that’s not even open today. If you’re going to stand for something, there’s that risk of dying for it too. And it resonates with me that these innocent young men chose to be martyrs and stand for something.
“That historical moment from 1968 shows just how tenacious those bulldogs were, and how we can be tenacious in 2024 with our own social injustices. There’s a rich legacy that was set before us by SC State. SC State students have always been pillars of the community when it comes to social justice. So as students, if you decide not to march or not to protest, which are your rights, then you’re doing yourself a grave injustice.”
Alerra Wheeler, junior accounting major
SGA member; CAB business manager
“The Orangeburg Massacre March is important to me because it recognizes that these men were not slain for no reason. There are still people here that care about the cause and them being taken from us,” Wheeler said. “If we don’t learn from our past, it will repeat itself. That is one of the reasons why we hold this march every year, so students feel obligated to learn and will want to learn more so they can prevent anything like this in the future.
“I feel like the Orangeburg Massacre should’ve been broadcasted more because I’m not from South Carolina and the first time I heard about the event was in my University 101 class, which I thank God for. So, it’s important to continue to remember our history and pass it along.”
Tayvian Boston, freshman marketing major
101 Black Men
“I was excited because this was my first time marching, even though I knew about the history before I got here,” Tayvian Boston said. “This march is significant to me and my organization because as a member of 101 Black Men, we believe in standing up for what’s right and that’s exactly what these three men were trying to do.
“So today, we have to be transformative and set the standard. It’s important for us to know our history – the event happened on SC State’s campus, and we go to SC State, so we should be involved.”
Tyvon Boston, freshman psychology major
Campus Activities Board (CAB)
“I feel like we should march to remember who they are, what they did and why they did it, because they were monumental. And I feel like anyone who goes to SC State should know the background of the Orangeburg Massacre and appreciate the university’s history,” Tyvon Boston said. “The march symbolizes freedom and justice to me. Back then, there was so much segregation, and this march is a way for us to remember where we came from and why we should all be on one accord today.”