In 2006, Dr. Tolulope Filani started teaching fine arts at South Carolina State University. Dr. Filani had three different degrees and he was also the student of an actor. He says he remembers walking around the campus and thinking how bare it was compared to other places he had attended, like the University of Missouri. After talking about how bare the campus was he knew he wanted to help change it.
SOT: Dr. Tolulope Filani 00:17
In: For I told myself
Out: I started the sculpture
Transcript: For I told myself, someways that it's worthless when you criticize the system and you can't bring something, you understand, to match whatever it is that you are talking about. So I took it upon myself, I started the sculpture.
The Orangeburg Massacre took place on February 8th, 1968 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. This was a shooting of student protestors on the campus of then South Carolina State College. The Collegian, published in March 1968 tells the stories of what happened that day by the students. This Massacre resulted in more than two dozen students wounded and the deaths of Henry Smith, Samual Hammond, and Delano Middleton.
Dr. Filani first created these sculptures in clay. In the interview, he explains to us that he created these sculptures 12 years ago in 2010. This was a very difficult process. He invited classmates and families to see the sculptures after they were done. Filani knew he did decent when one parent was about to break down after seeing his work. He brought his work before many presidents of the university and they were very reluctant.
SOT: Dr. Tolulope Filani 00:08
In: And this really bothers me
Out: Celebrate ourselves enough
Transcript: And this really bothers me a great deal in a sense as a people of color we just don't celebrate ourselves enough.
After many years his sculptures were in bronze and put on the South Carolina State's campus. After asking Filani how it felt to have this event honoring his work, have your work in bronze, and see people appreciating it, his response was very humble. He expresses to us that he was very appreciative of being recognized but he wanted to put the most emphasis on the sculptures. He sees himself as a tool that can be used to contribute to this society in hopes that others will do the same.
SOT: Dr. Tolulope Filani 00:18
In: When things like this happen
Out: Will be appreciated and celebrated
Transcript: When things like this happen it seems to me like it is a way of reassuring everybody young, old, and new that whatever you contribute to the society, someday somewhere along the line it will be appreciated and celebrated.
Overall, the Orangeburg Massacre is very memorable for the county of Orangeburg as well as South Carolina State University. This is a very tragic story but I am very glad that we celebrate it each year.
