In 1970, three black House members elected
In 1970, three men — I.S. Leevy Johnson and James Felder of Richland County and Herbert Fielding of Charleston — became the first African-Americans elected to the state House of Representatives since the turn of the 20th Century.
“Contrary to expectations, we were warmly received when we became active members of the General Assembly,” remembered Johnson.
Johnson said many anticipated that the men’s path to full-fledged House membership would be impeded by discrimination. But with their elections, race relations began to improve.
“We were effective in disabusing a lot of the stereotypes that white South Carolinians had of black South Carolinians,” Johnson said. “When they witnessed us serving in an effective capacity, it improved the image of blacks in South Carolina.”
This story was originally published November 1, 2015 at 12:33 PM with the headline "In 1970, three black House members elected."