The Tragic Story of Emmett Till: The Unspeakable Lynching That Shocked a Nation

The story of Emmett Till is one of the most haunting and tragic tales in American history. A 14-year-old African American boy from Chicago, Emmett was visiting his family in Mississippi in the summer of 1955 when he was brutally lynched by two white men.

Emmett's death sparked outrage and ignited the Civil Rights Movement. His murder became a symbol of the racial injustice and violence that African Americans faced in the Jim Crow South. Emmett's mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, became a tireless advocate for justice for her son and for all victims of racial violence.

Let the People See: The Story of Emmett Till

by Elliott J. Gorn

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2138 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	392 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The Events Leading Up to Emmett's Death

Emmett Till arrived in Money, Mississippi, on August 24, 1955. He was staying with his great-uncle, Moses Wright, and his great-aunt, Elizabeth Wright.

On August 28, Emmett and some of his cousins went to Bryant's Grocery and Meat Market to buy candy. While Emmett was inside the store, he allegedly whistled at Carolyn Bryant, the 21-year-old white wife of the store owner, Roy Bryant.

Carolyn Bryant later claimed that Emmett had grabbed her and made sexual advances toward her. Emmett denied the allegations, but Bryant's husband and his half-brother, J.W. Milam, decided to take matters into their own hands.

The Lynching

On the night of August 28, 1955, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam abducted Emmett Till from his great-uncle's house. They drove him to a remote area, where they beat him, gouged out his right eye, and shot him in the head.

Emmett's body was found in the Tallahatchie River three days later. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, insisted on an open casket funeral so that the world could see the brutality that had been inflicted upon her son.

The Trial and Acquittal

Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam were arrested and charged with Emmett Till's murder. Their trial began on September 19, 1955, in Sumner, Mississippi. The trial was a travesty of justice. The all-white jury acquitted Bryant and Milam after only an hour of deliberation.

The acquittal of Emmett Till's murderers outraged the nation. It became a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement, and it helped to galvanize support for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

The Legacy of Emmett Till

Emmett Till's death had a profound impact on American history. His murder became a symbol of the racial injustice and violence that African Americans faced in the Jim Crow South. It also helped to spark the Civil Rights Movement, which led to the passage of landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Emmett Till's legacy continues to inspire people today. His story is a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice and equality. It is also a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

The story of Emmett Till is a tragedy, but it is also a story of hope. Emmett's death helped to change the course of American history, and his legacy continues to inspire people today. We must never forget his story, and we must continue to fight for justice and equality for all.

Let the People See: The Story of Emmett Till

by Elliott J. Gorn

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2138 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	392 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE