Reporter was lone voice on racial massacre

Reporter Jack Nelson died Oct. 21 of pancreatic cancer in Washington, D.C., the city where he made a name for himself as a holy witness to the civil rights struggle and especially - to his eternal credit - to the otherwise ignored killings that took place in Orangeburg, S.C., on the night of Feb.

[Cliche columnist]

White man: evil. Black man: good. I can guess who you supported for President.

We are sick of race wars, Mr. Bogert. Find something else to talk about or we'll look for another columnist to read.

[Religion is business]

Racism is evil, religion is evil business, very religious electrician whom i paid well left open wires in my house for me to touch and die, when you people learn to live together peacefully and friendly?

[TomFromPV]

I prefer to remember tragedies like the one described here, so we can work to prevent them in the future. There are so many lessons that need to be learned from this incident and others like it:

First, we must remember that politics is nothing more than an organization of hatreds. Back then, Democrats were largely racists and elected their own to office. Democrats ran most govts in the south and police forces heeded that fact.

Second, racism was very much alive in the 60's. Jjust as political parties can be evil, people can join groups that are evil as well. We must somehow learn that the most important minority is the individual. And when groups start using their "rights" to intimidate (or murder) individuals, the group must be stopped.

Third, 60s racism flourished in large part due to a silent mainstream media. So-called journalists knew which side of their bread was buttered, so they cast a blind eye to the inhumanity that was going on. True journalism, rather than shill jobs for one side, is a vital requirement of freedom.

Sadly, I don't think we've learned these lessons. Many Americans are still organized along their hatreds. I'm sure people will respond to this note claiming "republicans were more racist than Democrats" or some such, as if that's a good thing.

And we are returning to a nation of group rights. Depending on your birth traits, you may or may not get a scholarship or a job or a tax break or even a mortgage. All with the blessing of govt laws that are MEANT to reward group membership, rather than individual freedom.

Finally, is there any doubt that objective journalism is dead? We know which side each reporter supports and it clearly shows in the story selection and reportage.

[Jack Bass]

A good piece of writing, and I'm sure Jack Nelson would appreciate it. If anyone wants more of the story, "The Orangeburg Massacre," 2002 revision, is available from Mercer U. Press.
All book royalties go to the Smith-Hammond-Scholarship Fund at S. C. State.

[Eddie]

John, you've been on Sam's side, too, all these years. I'm sure he's proud of the difference you've made and the man you've become.

[Kooter Kin Tay]

Racism hell! I loves da white peoples!!!