MARCH 23, 2012 -- A generation of South Carolinians -- maybe two -- have grown up without knowing much about a home-grown civil rights hero with a national reputation. It’s high time they did. Meet U.S. District Judge J. Waties Waring (1880-1968), a native son who called for the crippling shackles of segregation to be stripped from South Carolina at a time when blacks and whites had to drink from different water fountains.

NOV. 25, 2011 – In this season of being thankful, let's be thankful for our government at local, state and federal levels. Even though Congress has a 9 percent approval rating and our state legislators often suffer from a need for real leadership, government has helped enormously to make America what it is.

MAY 5, 2011 -- Sixty years ago, segregation was the common practice of the South as blacks and whites had different water fountains, sections of restaurants and school systems. Fifty years ago, black families traveling in the South more than likely packed food to take on long car trips so they didn't have to encounter segregationists or stop to find a restaurant that would serve them. Then 40 years ago, integration arrived across much of the small-town South.

AUG. 20, 2010 – Forty years ago this month, Frances Scott’s fourth grade class in Jesup, Ga., started a little differently than in previous years. For the first time, it was integrated. A photo from that 1970-71 year shows 26 students in the class – 21 white and five black.

JULY 30, 2010 -- If you ever have a tribute done for you, you ought to hope Joe Biden gives it. The vice president did one heck of a job honoring former U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings last Friday (July 23) at the dedication of the Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library at the University of South Carolina.