Orangeburg Massacre Survivor Talks Civil Rights with Students

The children in the Pinewood Prep auditorum have never known a world where they didn't go to school with children of another race, but South Carolina Civil Rights activist brought them into that world and told them the battles waged more than 50 years ago are still relevant today.

Voorhees College President and survivor of the Orangeburg Massacre Cleveland Sellers addressed the students Wednesday. The Orangeburg Massacre left three South Carolina State students dead in 1968 as students clashed with police. Sellers was shot and injured along with 27 others. Sellers served 8 months in jail for inciting a riot — something he contends he never did. 

Sellers told students how far the nation has come — from segregated schools and public seating — and how far the nation still has to go. He said the rights of women and gays are still a work in progress. 

"What legacy are you going to leave?" Sellers asked. "Lady Gaga? The lady with the pink hair? What are you going to leave behind?"

Sellers said even the youngest of students could affect change.

"It's always you're too young to do stuff. You probably get that a lot," Sellers said. But, he added, there were young children jailed and killed during the Civil Rights era. 

Watch the video of Sellers speaking to students about President Barack Obama's inauguaral address above.