Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Stamps commemorate civil rights struggle Jennifer Holland THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CAYCE — The tiny images on a new set of postage stamps mark the 'Montgomery bus boycott, the Civil Rights Act and the landmark Supreme Court decision desegregating public schools. In South Carolina, they honor those who fought for a school bus to spare black children a nine-mile walk to school in Clarendon County and protesters gunned down by state troopers during a rally on the outskirts of South Carolina State University. Several civil rights leaders, who gathered Tuesday as the U.S. Postal Service dedicated 10 37-cent stamps to commemorate the Civil Rights Movement, said the set also offers the opportunity to tell the many unknown stories of courage and sacrifice. “I think it’s a powerful American story that needs to be told, but we need to continue to focus in on those unsung heroes,” said Cleveland Sellers, chairman of the University of South Carolina’s African-American studies department. Sellers was the only person sent imprisoned in what has become known as the Orangeburg Massacre in which three black students were killed. He was convicted of inciting a riot and spent seven months in jail and was pardoned 25 years later. He said he hopes the stamps inspire people “to collect from those participants in civil rights history and put it in the proper context so that the generations to come will understand the significance of ordinary citizens who were willing to have the Courage and make the commitment to bring about change.” The stamps highlight familiar stories, such as the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision, the 1955 protest against Montgomery, Ala.’s segregated public transportation system, and the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibiting discrimination in public facilities, jobs and government. A lawsuit demanding bus service in Clarendon County was one of the five cases rolled into the Brown case. “We thought when Brown versus the Board of Education was decided that all of our problems were over,” former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney said. But Finney, a former civil rights lawyer, state legislator and the state’s first black Supreme Court chief justice, said the fight for equality in South Carolina is long from over. He pointed to a pending lawsuit that challenges the way the state pays for public education. There is a storm on the horizon “and I need to be aware of that,” Finney said. “It is up to you and I, the good citizens of South Carolina, to put the political leadership on notice that we want education for all of our children. We want not a minimally adequate (education), but we want a first class (education) for all of our children.” He challenged an audience of about 70 people to provide active, enlightened leadership for the community. “If we don’t remember and appreciate our history, we are going to repeat the mistakes,” Finney said. While none of the stamps name South Carolina events, a South Carolina artist created one. William Henry Johnson, of Florence, painted “Training for War” in 1941. It is included in the set to recall President Harry Truman’s 1948 executive order integrating the military. Johnson, who painted mosdy scenes from rural South Carolina and New York jazz clubs, lived outside of South Carolina for most of his life — in New York, in Europe and in a mental institution before his death in 1970. He now is one of the best-known black artists of the 20th century. Cecil Williams, an Orangeburg native who has photographed the civil rights struggle since he was a boy, said he was pleased with the stamps. “I think it’s long overdue. I’m glad to see that South Carolina and its link to the entire Civil Rights Movement has been noticed nationally and I think the stamps are a good first step,” Williams said. “I would have loved to have seen the stamps really more directly be represented by images that would have come from South Carolina, but I am grateful for what we have available for today,” he said. Evan VuccVTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS Dorothy Height, President of the National Council of Negro Woman, looks at several new stamps that are dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement’s most enduring milestones on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, in Washington. The United States Postal Service dedicated 10 stamps commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Movement. TRIAL • CORTIAUCD FRQIAI best interest on the recommendation of their lawyer,” Pride said after the proceeding at Richland County Courthouse. USC players Fran Person and Gurminder Thind were on hand to support their ex teammates. After the decision, Brownlee and Telfort exchanged handshakes and brief hugs with their ex teammates. In the courtroom, Brownlee and Telfort went before Circuit Judge James Johnson and issued apologies for their actions. Telfort and Brownlee each admitted to making a “terrible mistake.” Telfort acknowledged that he let his “emotions come first,” while Brownlee said he had “acted irrationally.” Ex-Gamecock assistant coach Dave Roberts, who recruited the players, made a statement on their behalf in court Monday. 1 hese are good kids, Roberts said. “They just made some dumb-ass mistakes.” Roberts added that Brownlee and Telfort had the opportunity to “get their lives straight and move forward.” Johnson, while not condoning the actions of the two players, sounded nearly sympathetic at one point. “There are not too many 22-, 23-year-old men who go through their life without any problems,” he said. Brownlee and Telfort were charged with felony grand larceny in January after more than $18,000 worth of computer and video equipment went missing from Williams-Brice Stadium in November. The thefts occurred after an announcement by then Athletics Director Mike McGee that the team would not be accepting a bowl bid after last year’s season ending brawl with Clemson. After the charges were pressed, various officials in the athletics department, including coach Steve Spurrier, were issued subpoenas to appear in court and testify. According to reports, Brownlee and Telfort said in court documents they were told by Spurrier that if the items were returned, the two would not face charges. Brownlee confessed to taking two computer projectors and two laptops valued at $4,000 each, according to warrants. Telfort confessed to taking a laptop valued at $4,000, according to an arrest warrant. According to the solicitors office, Brownlee returned the stolen items Dec. 1. Telfort, approached by USC’s police department Dec. 10, then gave his full confession, according to prosecutors. Pride contacted the solicitor’s office Friday to discuss the possibility of getting the initial charges lowered, and according to Deputy Solicitor John Meadors, USC officials were in agreement with the plan. According to Pride, Brownlee is living in Columbia and looking for a job. Telfort is a member of Northwestern (La.) State’s football team. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc.edu --| MJZVw, laRRy rrxirzs&nlL A^HAIB SAUOlW^ 3214 Millwood Avenue ♦ Columbia * 803-256-6419 Holy Communion Bible Study &Program Evening Prayer ym •' / * ■. ''' •••'• 1 : ’ ^ ' *' ''f^ViVv J' ' 4» ' <yW r t "» \ mm . I? ” Starting at 10:00 a.m. next Wednesday, September 7, Student Government will sell 52 tickets to the Auburn (away) Football Game. The price will be $55 and it will include a ticket, a seat on a charter bus, a meal, and a Spirit Bag. The tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Inquire within the Student Government Office across from vEinstein Bagels.,