Recent editorials from South Carolina newspapers:
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Feb. 8
The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg on remembering the deaths of three black men shot by South Carolina troopers in 1968:
In Orangeburg, even what it is called can elicit emotional debate. By any name, the events of Feb. 8, 1968, are a defining moment in the history of the community.
In the nearly five decades since three students were shot to death by state troopers that night near South Carolina State University during the height of the civil rights movement, Orangeburg has immersed itself often in more than remembering the loss of three young lives.
The painful memories can and have produced debate about what “really happened” during the sequence of events known by the title of a book, “The Orangeburg Massacre.”
The result too often over the years has been a community divided annually by racial wounds, a community that more appropriately should always look at Feb. 8, 1968, for what it was: a tragedy from which lessons must be learned for a racially diverse community to build upon the strength of its cultural differences.
Seeing the need to help Orangeburg put 1968 into perspective, more than 250 Orangeburg residents of varying ages and different races came together in 1999 for a public statement titled, “Orangeburg, let us heal ourselves.” It appeared in The Times and Democrat a day before the 31st anniversary.
The statement asked that remembrance “be kept to the dignity for which it is intended - a solemn observance of that tragic night in 1968.”
“It should not be marred by creating a day of racial hatred in Orangeburg by those of either race who try to rewrite the chronicle of events of that unforgettable incident,” the statement said.
The statement stands as an Orangeburg commitment to remember a tragedy without annually opening new wounds. It is a pledge to learn from the events and a vow never to repeat them. It is unity where there was division.
Those Orangeburg commitments are important on this day in 2017 when the annual memorial service remembering Henry Smith, Samuel Hammond and Delano Middleton will be held at 3 p.m. at S.C. State.
Orangeburg has grown since 1968 and in the nearly two decades since “Orangeburg, let us heal ourselves.”
“The Orangeburg Massacre” authors acknowledged the significance of events here. When Mercer University Press in Macon, Ga., in 2002 released a revised edition of the book, a new postscript by the authors noted the story “has taken on new life and a path toward healing and reconciliation.”
It is a path upon which our community must pledge to remain.
Online:
https://thetandd.com
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Feb. 4
The Sun News of Myrtle Beach on mo-ped riders in South Carolina:
South Carolina’s eight trauma centers treated 510 mo-ped injuries in a year and a half - 26 of the injured died - at an estimated cost of $27 million. The medical centers received total reimbursement of $4.5 million.
“So the taxpayers are on the hook,” says S.C. Sen. Greg Hembree of Little River.
The gap in recovery of costs, for 18 months in 2014 and 2015, illustrates one of the concerns of everyday motorists as well as law enforcement folks around the state - about making mo-peds subject to the traffic codes.
Hembree, previously the longtime solicitor for Horry and Georgetown counties, is again working as a senator for passage of legislation that will regulate those pesky mo-peds like other motor vehicles. It is astounding to understand that the two-wheelers, and their drivers, currently are completely unregulated by South Carolina. Perhaps the extreme example, cited by Hembree and others, is the inability of police to issue traffic citations to intoxicated mo-ped operators because they are not covered by the traffic code.
If this has a feeling of deja vu, we have indeed been here before. Last year, the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved comprehensive legislation regulating mo-peds, but Gov. Nikki Haley vetoed the measure. Why? Haley’s reason perhaps was related to something other than a concern about requiring mo-ped operators to wear reflective vests. The vests cost $4.50. Whatever, late in the legislative session, the House overrode Haley’s ridiculous action, but time ran out in the waning hours of the session and the Senate did not vote on an override.
So, legislators started again in January as the new session started. Hembree filed what is largely the same measure approved in 2016, and that has been unanimously passed by the Senate. Third and final reading was on Jan. 31. Hembree says there was not much debate on second reading, the part of the legislative process where there is discussion, proposed changes in wording and so forth. Third readings typically are formalities.
A companion bill in the House has received a favorable report in committee and further action is scheduled on March 21. The Senate bill does not require protective vests.
“I’m in favor of reflective vests,” Hembree says.
He anticipates that the House version might include vests. Requiring a blinking light on mo-peds is another option as regulation makes its way through the House. Differences in House and Senate measures would be worked out in a conference committee.
The Senate version limits mo-peds to highways with 55 miles-per-hour or lower speed limits, which Hembree says is a concession to legislators representing non-urban areas.
“The case was made that in rural areas a 55-mph road may be the only road,” Hembree says.
Eventually, cities and counties should be able to determine roads which mo-peds may use. This is a detail that should not stand in the way of regulating mo-peds in South Carolina.
Online:
https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com
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Feb. 7
The Aiken Standard on school violence:
School is where our children spend the majority of their days, and it is horrifying to learn our loved ones are put in harm’s way because of violence in school halls.
In the wake of the shooting incident at South Aiken High School last week, Aiken County Public Schools has taken several steps to improve school security. Meantime, statistics regarding the increasing number of fights breaking out in Aiken County Schools show some high schools have seen fighting reports increase.
Arrests in the shooting were announced Thursday and that comes as a huge sigh of relief to parents and residents. Bond was denied during a hearing Friday for one of the person’s charged.
Still, questions linger as to concerns about how violence has become such an integral part of our society, and a more common expression of behavior in schools.
Fighting at school should be inexcusable. Participants should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. We all get angry sometimes, but there are better ways to settle our differences than to resort to violence.
Yes, attending school is a privilege. We forget that sometimes.
Dr. Sean Alford, superintendent of Aiken County Public Schools, tells us the district used to follow a zero tolerance approach to punishing students guilty of fighting. Students were automatically suspended and often faced expulsion hearings.
While some fights warrant such a heavy handed approach, not all fights deserve summary judgment. Alford says now the district handles each case on its own merits and responds appropriately. While some schools have seen more fights, many schools - especially at the elementary and middle school level - have seen decreases. We hope the strategy sees improved results in the long term.
One fight at school is one fight too many. More control should be returned to the classroom where many teachers feel they don’t have a voice.
This doesn’t take away from the district’s efforts at beefing security at crowded events. It’s better to err on the side of caution than regret.
On Friday, Alford thanked the Aiken community for its help in the wake of last week’s shooting incident at South Aiken High School.
“We’re all one community,” Alford said. “We’re all in this together, and we certainly appreciate the support of the City of Aiken.”
Parents raised concerns that, because of changes to the district’s Code of Conduct, students did not fear the consequences of their behaviors. They should.
Alford stressed during a speech at the Aiken Chamber of Commerce First Friday breakfast that safety is the district’s top concern.
“Academic excellence is not No. 1. Safety and security - a safe and nurturing environment - that’s the priority. That’s No. 1.”
Alford said “every single school administrator in this room this morning” makes a conscious effort every day to ensure student safety.
“We’re going to continue to do that and to enhance our efforts because we want parents to drop their children off in the morning and not have to worry when they go to work. We want you to feel safe and comfortable that your children are with us and that we’re going to take care of them.”
It is a privilege to receive an education … a gift. We need to remember this.
Online:
https://www.aikenstandard.com/
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