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New book tracks Cecil Williams' coverage of civil rights era

The new book is titled, "Injustice in Focus." (Panther photo by Damaia Davis)

Photographer Cecil Williams and author Claudia Smith Brinson discussed their new book “Injustice in Focus: The Civil Rights Photography of Cecil Williams” at the Orangeburg County Library on Feb. 8.

The book depicts Williams’ coverage of the civil rights movement in South Carolina. Brinson said readers should consider the importance of Williams’ career as one of the few Black photojournalists in the segregated South.

“What happens when we understand history, but we don't have visuals?” Brinson said, “The pictures give us information that perhaps words cannot, that pictures can prove things we might not want to believe and so Cecil’s career is very important.”

Providing context for an image of his car with a “press” marker on it, Williams said it was a dangerous era for Black press members. He wore his badge proudly because it was the “handwriting of God” that put him in that position.

“Somebody had to tell the stories of that period in South Carolina,” Williams said. “Again, it was my destiny to do that.”

Williams praised Brinson for her work and said “Injustice in Focus” was an immediate yes for him. He said that though she is not a historian, Brinson takes time to ensure that her information is accurate.

“You will find that this is one of the most accurate books I've ever had the opportunity to be a part of because Claudia is that kind of writer,” Williams said. “She would go above and beyond, and fact check, and so she is more of an author that she is a historian.”

Brinson, who grew up on desegregated military bases, said the scenes she saw in South Carolina shocked her. These experiences and working for “skewed" news outlets led her to seek information from minorities and elders of the civil rights movement.

“Along the way, I met this wonderful person, Cecil, and I found that using his images helped me understand things more,” Brinson said. “He was generous with his time and explained the world to me.”

During the event, Williams and Brinson guided the guests through some of Williams' photos. They both agreed that there needs to be an expansion of South Carolina’s history books.

“History, again, allows -- or provides -- you to know where you can form and then you can better chart where you're going to,” Williams said. “I believe this is such an important book because the book transcends time, it helps one generation to another know about what went on -- and getting it straight from the perspective of the person that did it.”

Cecil Williams speaks at event. (Panther photo by Damaia Davis)

Author Claudia Smith  Brinson speaks. (Panther photo by Damaia Davis)