October 28, 2003
Emmett Till: An In-Depth Look
NOTE: the comments feature has been closed on this entry. Check the links within for additional info.
Been meaning to post this link for some time. Especially since "Emmett Till" is usually the top keyword search on my site since I started as { a burst of light } about a year or so ago:
James L. Hicks Investigations from The Lynching of Emmett Till by Christopher Metress
According to many reporters in attendance, the judicial process had failed Emmett Till, and the real question to come out of the whole trial was whether, without federal intervention, blacks could get justice in Mississippi. For another set of dissenters, however, the trial raised a different set of questions, many of them concerned with the truths of the case. Despite the best efforts of the prosecuting attorneys, the trial seemed to hide more truths than it answered as many competing testimonies were never fully explored or cross-examined.
Posted by ronn at October 28, 2003 08:25 PM
I feel that the Lynching of Emmitt Till was the most brutal attack in history, that justice was not served. He was nothing but a child.How could someone consider themselves a human being to distrubit such cruel attack on another human being because of the color of their skin. I truly hope Hell awaits eveyone involved.
I think everyone is missing the point here. Why is it so hard to understand the act that occured? Well, for one that was a different era as well as a breeding ground for hatred between races. The attackers did not see poor Emmett as a "Human" To them, he was not a equal. Emmett, not realizing that he was in backwoods county, unlike his Chicago area, put himself in a situation where in another time or place would have not even been noticed, but the South, well it was noticed. Emmett and his attackers ended up in a stubborn empasse, in which I believe he would have been killed anyway, so I don't think his reactions reflected in him getting brutaly killed. How these men were able to get away, well I think at that time no one wanted to be the "One" who protected or fought for the "Coloreds". I guess an appeal for an outside governing investigation was not available at that time. 12 white men as the Jury, what was that about? My heart goes out to Emmett's Mother, who showed great courage and strength in requesting open casket.
The dury in those days were cruel. It was not about equality for all people, but selfishness and only thinking of themselves. Had the jury defended Emmett till's case and gave him a fair, it would have paved all ways for other race-hate crimes to be recognised in court. Emmett Till was such a handsome boy and those two criminals took away his mother's only child. Justice will be done
Since I live near Drew, MS, where Emmett Till was killed, I've been doing a lot of reading about the murder and trial. There were certainly many questions not answered. The other day, I met a woman who attended the trial and I will be speaking with her in a week or so. Should be fascinating. She lives in Sumner. When you visit there, the same attorneys have an office across from the courthouse. It looks like time has stood still.
Susan: I've visited your site(s) and am quite intrigued by your upcoming book. Please keep in touch and let us know how things are going.
Wishing you much success.
i think the lynching of emmit till was horrible. i send my condolences to his family
i think that the lynching of emmitt was HORRIBLE!!! i hope who ever was involved should really feel bad about what they did! i dont think they should be proud for hurting someone like that! i just wanna say to emmitt's family that i feel so sorry and i send my condolences you!
I am doing some research about Emmett Till because of a class I am taking and I cannot even comprehend what those men who were involved were thinking. Eventhough times were different back then, I still feel like something had to have not been right in their heads'. It isn't up to any of us to decided how they should have been punished, but I do know that God will deal with them, and Emmett is being taken care of now by God. My prayers and thoughts go out the his family and especially his mother!
I think what they did to Emmett Till was the worst thing that could have happened to a child back then. I couldn't imagine what his mother went through. And for the men that did it him, i think that they are the most cold hearted people i've ever heard about. He was just just a child how would they like it if someone had done that to their sons. The trail was unfair and cold hearted. My prayers go out to his family.
i think those men who took that childs life should have died the same way they killed that poor child, things like this makes me ashamed to be cacasion
I saw the movie on January 29 2004 and I cried for hours. What rights do they have to play God, by taking another human life. What about their children and grand children, has it affect them in any way at all. Justice was not done they should have met with the same fate as Emmett Till, my prayers go out to the family
We are all Emmett Till. Black Jews, ect. In white america we are still less then human. Mainly in Texas. I have never in my short live life seen so much hate in people. I wish we would all take look at the EMMETT TILL'S of today and know that GOD has made us all. He made Adam as well as Eve. How dare you destory the life of a young boy in such a manner. You have raped this child of his manhood. You have raped all people of their freedom. All of you You White with your nose turned down, You Blacks with your dirty mouths N this Mother F, Bitches ect.. You Mexican forgetting where you came from and all the rest of you you know who you are. And to you The Whites Blacks Mexicans ect... who stand on your own to feet and have learned from the past Keep standing. Reach back and help. Inform others.
I am very upset over the way those men hurt and murdered Emmett Till. I will never understand how they would /could sleep at night. I know that I would have a troubled mine about what I had done to another individual.
I Think it wasn't right ! I feel we should the same thing to white people cause they did to us !!!
We feel that it was a horrible way for a fourteen year boy to die. We understand that in those days, it wasn't far to have a trial with 12 white men knowing that they all probably feel the same way as Milam and Mr. Bryant. Nobody can get revenge or punish someone like GOD can.
I hope those involved and everyone eho had something to do with it gets the right hellfull punishment. He was only a child barely 14 and he had to pay for something the white man thought was right!! I hope th DEVIL awaits the in hell with a flaming pitchfork with their heads on the end!!! He didn'd deserve it and it was damn wrong for them to take the "law" into their own hands! GOD WILL make them pay, and I hope he haunts the hell out of them and they die a cold, slow, painful, well-deserved death. My regrewts go out to the family, may god and peace be eith you!!!
GOD is the final judge! They are the most heartless, disgrace to man kind. Why? How could a person kill someone's dreams along with their life? There is absolutely nothing to justify this act of human unstable creatures. May God Have Mercy On Their Souls.....
I doubt I have ever been filled with so many emotions at one time. Rage, hate, sadness, etc. How could some men believe that they were so high above black people to do this? To a 14 year old!!! As many people already said, God is the final judge. I trust that God has recieved Emmitt and his mother in heaven. He will make those damn men pay!
I think that it was wrong for them to kill an innocent boy just because he supposedly said "bye,baby"to a white woman.Who did those white people think they were anyways?They did not have the right to do what they did I know God says to forgive,but this will take a long time to forgive.
I am Asian, and yesterday. I finally heard about the death of Emmett Till in my History class. I don't think, it's fair. Indeed it's an unjuistice. To believe that people back then, were so cruel, unjust and so blind.
Really what's d difference?
The black people have the rights to shone all you people of what you've done to one of theirs. Would you like it if it happened to you or your son/daughter. I don't think so. Rot in hell for all people care!
So what? If ur black, green, brown or white.
If people back then, close their eyes and listen to people talk, they wouldn't know if they were talking to a black or white person.
The people back then, should be a shame of themselves.
Who are they to say black people are not equals. Where in God's text, did he say that black people are lower and should be treated badly. No where.
Who are they to judge? With no rights at all?
Those people may not think that anybody can get them, but slowly hiding it will kill them, as they deserve.
They shall never go to Heaven, and should not even think about Heaven, they have no rights. Because of their sins.
I'm only sixteen, and I was feeled with anger, hate and I felt so sad, to hear it.
It made me want to hate all white people, but I know that you shouldn't jugde other people. because of what you heard about white people. That's exactly how people should of thought.
That you should judge other people, or disgriminate.
I hope they rot wih that guilt! And that they have already!
I hope these two men burn in HELL!!
I watched the story on emmett till today on PBS. I could barely sit through it. It's hard to realize that through all the suffering that black people went through that we could not stand as one, speak aout what we saw or heard. I thank God that I was not born in the time or day because I must admit I would have risked my life to bring that scum of the earth to justice. I am not sure if I'm still mad but can someone tell me how can our African American brothers could marry white women after all that has happened. And what make so bad it's mostly our rich talented brothers. Why? Please tell me this. I think that it is a complex that involves not being able to have a white woman. We must come together as a whole and not let all the hard work go to waste. LEARN. TEACH. CONQUER. I hope that God has his wrath on all that has done injustice to man. God Bless African Americans.
There sure is a lot of HATRED and bigotry on this board so far. I've known of the Emmitt Till case since "Eyes On The Prize" aired on PBS when I was 13, back in the 80's. I was just as shocked and taken back by the events and, like everyone, THE PHOTO'S - like everyone on this board is.
But, since then, I've also been around the world a bit, all around America. I've met plenty of black, hispanic, Asian and white men who talk like they would've done the same to anyone messing with "their women". 1955 was a different time, especially in the deep South. Personally, I think Emmitt's cousins and friends did him an injustice as well when they challenged and encouraged him to do what he did - especially in 1955! They knew better. Those were some very dark times, left over from the days of slavery almost a century before. Racism sucks, but unfortunately it exists, and always will. "LEARN. TEACH. CONQUER." Conquer what? I hope we're talking about the same thing. Ashamed to be caucasian? I used to talk the same way. But, I'm me, proud to be me. In 2004, it's about attitude, not race. There's not one race of people on this planet who's past isn't checkered somewhere, somehow. We should learn from the past, but real progress isn't going to happen until one generation of us humans decides to hit the reset button. Complicated, huh?
I think that Emmit Till murder was horrible and that what happened to him was uncalled for, I cant explain how I felt when I watched the PBS document on that story it did not make any kind of sence to me what those people have done and and how the judge and jury went along with them men that makes them just as guilty.
I'm a 17 year old white girl from mississippi. I believe it was wrong, what they did to Emmett. I believe he really did not know exactly what he was doing was seen as wrong by whites in the south. For all blacks out there I want for you to know that I hold no grudges against colored people. Not all white people see eye to eye. But please try to realize that it was not us (my generation) who did these horrible things. Please do not judge me for what happened decades ago. I truely believe that those men who murdered Emmett and the men on the jury will pay. Judgement comes to everyone.
The horrrrror of Emmitt Till's death stirred me so much that I launched an internet search on this topic. Partly in disbelieve that the system allowed two murders to walk on free streets and let a trial judge continue to serve. I was not raised in the country and was not aware of the details of this case. I wondered how this country can call itself the defender of freedom and justice. The words of the presiding judge in the trial clearly indicate tainting the jury. How could that judge look at himself in the mirror or into the eyes of his 'loved' ones? I wondered what happened to the murders after the confessions. Did their family condemn them, did the community take shame in knowing and supporting them? What did the murders wives think about them? Let Oprah cover these questions. I want to believe that the murders and their family feel a need to apologize to the blacks. Failing to offer any shame means they think it was okay and explanable. Where are these murders today? Where are their families? Have the sins of the fathers been passed down to them? White America should be thanking the Lord that the black man wants peace and that the we don't seek vengence here on this Earth. White America has too much to be ashamed of to call itself the defender of the free world. white ameica is the defender of what it wants be it rightfully theirs or not.
Perhaps in the back of Rosa Parks mind was "I have had enough. Today I make a stand!"
I think it's tragic what happened to Emmitt Till. His mother showed great courage in showing what hatred did to her son. I think that the trial was a mockery of our justice system. It's important we remember how people failed. At the same time, calling for all of "White America" to say "sorry" for what happened in the past is just as ignorant as the bigotry that existed then. I had nothing to do with what happened before I was born. I AM responsible however for my actions since that date, just as every other person on this planet is. A lot of people in our society, of all races, don't agree with me on that point. The lesson to be learned from history is to try to not repeat the wrongs and injustices. To improve the quality of life for all. In other words, if you don't like the way things are, work to change them, because you can't change the past! Vote, volunteer in your community, be a mentor. Do something positve. America is not perfect. One thing we need to remember though, is that if you want to enjoy the fruit of freedom, you need to plant the seed. You need to tend the soil for weeds. You need to keep watering the plant. Otherwise the plant dies. We ALL need to stop the hatred.
We who live here are ALL Americans. If you don't like it, work to change it, or go live in another country.
The death of Emmett Till was just an example of what many people in this country still veiw as a means of dealing with african americans.
The horror of Emmitt Till's death stirred me so much that I launched an internet search on this topic. It's tragic what happened to Emmitt Till. His mother showed great courage in showing what hatred did to her son. I can't beleive what they did to him. I am a 12 year old boy who listens to this kind of stuff about a black boy getting killed by two white (or more)men. That murder is offending me because I am black. I HOPE JUSTICE FINDS THOSE MURDERERS!!! I hope Justice finds them!!!!!!!
The murder of Emmitt L. Till was so
horrible that it almost feels that these two men were not human beings. But, it all goes back to the white woman who started the whole thing. How can some woman feel that a Black child insulted her so badly that she had to have her husband and brother-in-law murder a child.
I wonder how she feels today....
Every single time I watch a documentary on Emmitt L. Till, it upsets me so bad. I just cannot understand how two grown men could harm a child. Emmitt was a boy who was just visiting Mississippi and had to die there. I know people who have said to me because of this incident, they have not desire to visit any part of Mississippi. But, this horror sparked the civil rights movement and its too bad that a child had to lose his life in order for change to begin...I am saddened that no justice came for Emmitt Till. His mother had to die knowing that there was never any justice done for her only son, Emmitt.
I am a 33 yr old wht female I am married to the love of my life who is a blk man we live in southern ms I had never heard of Emmitt Till untill last week when I saw the pbs special I watched it with my 2 children my oldest son is the same age that Emmett was he just turned 14 last month i got ill while watching it i cried in my sons arms to think of what that child had to go through I wish I could say I dont have any worries about such a thing happening now adays but the truth is racisem is alive and well in Mississippi maybe not as it was in 1955 but I still can not go out with my family without whts giving us dirty looks and saying hatefull things my son 2 yrs ago came home from school with red marks on his face i later found out from a friend of his that many times 3 older wht boys where smacking him around on the bus calling him a nigger and telling him his mom has aids because she sleeps with niggers thank goodness he is proud of who he is it just shows that hatered is still breeding in Mississippi
I watched the PBS special about Emmett Till and it disturbed me so much I could not sleep for a week. I could not believe that anyone could torture a child this way. I know the murderers died from cancer,but they were allowed to grow old, unlike Emmett. I hope they died a slow painful death. I also believe that their families will pay for their sins.
I think what happenec was a shame and the stupid people who did that awful thing to a young child need to burn in hell.That is ridicoulous and the same stuff is still going and somebody need to put a stop to this non sense.
To be honest i knew nothing about the Emmitt Till murder until today when i heard the name in Kanye West's ''Living through the wire'' and decided to look into the name i think that the cruel people who were over the trial should have been put to death immediately cause that was wrong those men did not have to do that they blew things way out of proportion they had no reason what so ever to take someones life away i wanted to cry when i saw the puctures even though this took place in 1955 i still give my condoleces to the family and friends of him god bless! And god have mercy on the souls of the evil,vicious, and cruel bastards that did this u will forever live in regret!!!!!!!
where are pictures of him
I have just recently learned of Emmitt Till for Black History month, and i was shocked at the brutality that occured, but i feel that s lot of things have changed and i think that we have to remember that there will always be people who think they are better than others no matter how unfair it may seem it is just how life is, and that just because it seems like the majority of these people are white doesn't make it fact. all people dicriminate against someone else that is fact, and i think it is unfair to single out any one race, or state, or skin color no matter how true it seems at that moment because in the end who ever is cruel to another person will get what they deserve, but just like it wasn't those white men's place to play God to Emmitt Till it is not our who ever you may be white, black,jew, catholic,jehovah's witness, or anyone's place to punish those who are act agains us or others.
This is only how i feel and i do not defend what those white men or any kind of men that have done cruel things, nor do i wish to anger anyone it is just how i feel about the brutality that goes on in the world. that God and only God can punish those who deserve it, not us.
I think that those people were dead wrong. If I were alive when it happened, ohh you better believe I would have looked them up went over there and beat the "you know what" out of them. Everyone invovled they wouldn't have seen another day of life!
I'm not a "hate" kind of person, so all i will say is, God forgives everybody. But they probably will go to HELL! I could never do such things like that, so... I hope pp now and days don't do such things of hatred.
I HAVE SEEN A FEW SPEACIALS ON THE DEATH OF EMMITT TILL, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FILM. HOW CAN I PURCHASE A COPY OF THE FILM? MOST WHITE PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH ARE IN A STATE OF SELF DENIAL AND DON'T WANT TO FACE FACTS ABOUT RACISM, AND THEY ARE HOPING, THAT IT GOES AWAY.(STUPID)
The world is in a sad state when such an act can go unnoticed. Emmitt Till was just a child and should have been treated as a child. Whether white or black, the crime against him was unspeakable. His mother was truly a courageous women. A true matyr.
ITS not right to get away with that every since I heard the story it has influenced me to be a civil rights lawyer
This is only one example of a horrendous injustice against a black child in the South that we know and actually talk about. I wonder how many more incidents there have been that are so well hidden... unimagineable atrocities that stay locked forever in the vile minds of the perpetrators...
Personally, when I saw some of the pictures from his death it made me sick to my stomach. i think it's a shame that the "mighty America" did nothing to the cowarts who killed an innocent child.
land of the free.. of course not.
love and peace to the till family
I am a 32 year old African American woman. I have known the story of Emmitt Till so long, I dont remember when I did not know about it. The thought of it fuels a fire in me that will never be quenched. Why? Because the morons who did this will not be held accountable in this life. But when they stand before the Lord, and have to give an account for thier life - I wonder if they will be as smug as they appeared to be when they were acquitted. Shame also on the passive parties involved in this. I would REALLY like to know what happened to the woman - and I use that term LOOSELY - that sparked all this? And those who helped, and those who knew. God saw it all, he knew it all, and he will make those involved remember it all - for eternity. And for the people on this board who say "dont blame us - we werent around" No one is. We do not want apologies, it is too late for that now. What happened to Emmitt was a lifetime ago, and most of the people involved are dead. What we want, is a quick death to the attitude of intolerance that STILL exist to this day. Just because a person does not understand the rage or anger of a people for things that happened 50 years ago - do not dismiss it. We are still living with the attitudes that breed that type of hate. The real question is - how do Americans learn tolerance of one another. This "melting pot" of a country is burning. How can we settle the flames?
I just seen the Emmitt Till movie today and, I just can't beilve that people were letting that happen, and it wasn't even thatlong ago. Those guys who killed Emmitt Till, deserve to be tourtured, because I think a quick death wouldn't be enough. For the murder of a 14 year old child.
Please send me pictures of Emmit Till and/or related events.
Thanks in advance.
I think that it was not fair let alone righy!
The first time I've ever heard about the Emmitt Till story, was about eight years ago while reading the Jet Magazine. At first when I glimpsed at the photo I didn't know what I thought it was, I remembered dropping my jaws in awe & just kept staring. Then I thought it looked like a grown man, I just kept on staring before I finally read the article. In the 30 yrs. of my life, at that time & still now, I've never heard of a story that touched my heart so deeply and I mean deeply. I remembered taking the magazine to work and show my co-workers the unbelievable corpse of 14 yr. old. Emmett. That photo and article never left my mind, I try not to think about it, for it forever brings sadness to know that boy was actually awakened during the night to be put to death in the most horrendous and horiffic way known to mankind....and the worst part of this ordeal was the fact that he was only a child. How in gods name, can an adult human commit such an act upon another for something so frivolous as whistling or talking to a white woman. I really hope death is not the end, because this boy hadn't a chance at life before he was brutally struck down. It's not fair, why in that way? No one deserves to die like that. As for his abductors and murderers, I hope they lived a life of misery, I hope they suffered before their deaths and I hope there is a hell that will forever claim them their souls.
May Emmitt and his mother both rest in peace, and to the rest of the family, my heart always goes out to you. It has been many years, but may you continue to find peace and comfort in dealing with this tragedy.
please send me pictures of emmitt till and the story of his murder. i had never heard of him until i heard his name in a kanye west song.
HE WAS ONLY A BABY! THEIRES NOTHING HE COULD OF SAID OR DONE TO DESERVE TO GET MURDERED LIKE THAT. I HOPE THOSE BASTARDS HAVE AN EVERLASTING LIFE IN HELL.