The wounds of the Orangeburg Massacre, where three black students were killed and 28 were wounded by law enforcement officers on Feb. 8, l968, are lingering, lacerating hurts that can be healed by a full inquiry.

With my background as a professor at predominantly black institutions, and serving as a professor at Voorhees College in periods of upheaval and violence, I am in full accord with Jack Bass’ suggestion that a formal inquiry be made in order to bring healing to this lacerating memory of deferred injustice (“Formal inquiry would heal wound of Orangeburg Massacre,” Feb. 8).

Whether during this earlier period of racial conflict or in the current period of mistrust and violence nationally, I am absolutely convinced that hope and healing are indispensable in creating the viable future that we all want.

Albert Jabs

Lexington