Dear Readers,
Have you seen the movie "TILL"? Many of us learned about Emmett Till’s tragic story in our youth, but we were often shielded from its full severity. The history books we had access to rarely covered such painful truths, perhaps because those in charge of education chose to omit them.
Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African-American from Chicago, was brutally murdered in Mississippi in August 1955. His alleged offense was flirting with and whistling at a 21-year-old white woman in a grocery store. This case and its subsequent trial marked pivotal moments in the civil rights movement, exposing the harsh realities faced by Black individuals in the Jim Crow South.
Watching this heart-wrenching film left me devastated. As a mother with children whom I cherish deeply, I felt Mamie Till-Mobley’s (Emmett's mother) anguish as if it were my own. Her courageous decision to have her son's casket left open for the world to see was a powerful statement of strength and unflinching truth. She wanted everyone to witness the brutal injustice inflicted on her child.
What troubled me profoundly was witnessing Black men being complicit in dragging Emmett’s body from his home and disposing of it. Where was the outrage from within our own community? How could they reconcile their actions with their own humanity?
The value of a young life should never be weighed against money or any other gain. Emmett was a child—a baby in every sense of the word. His death is a painful reminder of the ongoing racial injustices that continue to plague our society. Reflecting on these historical tragedies, we are often left wondering what more could have been done.
Mamie Till-Mobley’s reflection resonates deeply: “When something happened to the Negroes in the South, I said, ‘Well, that’s their business, not mine.’ Now I know how wrong that was. The lynching of my son has shown me that what happens to any of us, anywhere in the world, had better be the business of us all!”
We must remain vigilant and proactive, not only for our own families but for the broader community. Ensuring safety and justice should be a collective effort. We cannot afford to remain passive, thinking it will not touch us.
What steps are we taking to safeguard future generations?
How can we strengthen our communities and ensure that such atrocities become a distant memory?
Our prayers and efforts must extend beyond our immediate circles. The struggle for justice is not confined by skin color—it’s about preserving our cultures, our dignity, and our humanity. Social media may bring some issues to light, but if it’s not recorded, does it not happen?
“Strong WOMEN don’t merely birth children. They cultivate them to render service.”
“Either FREEDOM for everyone or FREEDOM FAILS!” - Mamie Till-Mobley
Sending love and light to Emmett Till, Medgar Evers, Mamie Till-Mobley, and all those who suffered during that dark time. There are countless stories that remain untold, yet they all deserve recognition.
Love is YOU, Rising Soul Chronicles Friend.
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