In a historic move, President Biden signed a proclamation that marked a significant moment in the nation’s fight for civil rights. The creation of a national monument honoring Mamie Till Mobley and her son Emmett Till has been unveiled, guaranteeing that their powerful story will never fade from memory.
Imagine, if you will, a Mississippi river flowing silently, serving as an eternal witness to the chilling crime that unfolded on its banks. It was here at Graball Landing that the lifeless body of 14-year-old Emmett Till was discovered after being brutally lynched, his innocent spirit forever silenced. Today, this haunting location stands as one part of the newly established national monument, a symbol of the intolerable hate that once stained these lands.
But the story does not end there. Journey with us to the vibrant streets of Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, where the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ played host to a funeral that shook the foundations of the nation. It was within these powerful walls that Mamie Till Mobley held an open-casket service, defying the oppressive forces that sought to bury her son’s tragic death. Over 125,000 individuals, compelled by sorrow and the fight for justice, paid tribute to young Emmett over several solemn days.
The final piece of this historical puzzle resides in Sumner, Mississippi, within the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse. Many a tear has been shed here, as this was the somber setting where the trial of Emmett Till’s killers took place. In a shocking miscarriage of justice, an all-white jury delivered an acquittal within a mere hour of deliberation, further exposing the depths of hate that permeated the Jim Crow South. It is within the walls of this courthouse that the nation’s reckoning with hate, violence, racism, and overwhelming abuse of power began.
President Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and the valiant Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr. – Emmett Till’s cousin and witness to the tragic night – signed the proclamation with an indomitable spirit. These monuments would be a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the Till family, who carried the weight of injustice for far too long.
These new national monuments serve as a solemn reminder of the pain, struggle, and triumph within the tapestry of our nation’s complex history. We stand at a crossroads, where some may seek to erase or rewrite the agonizing chapters of our past. But we, as patriots, understand that to heal and grow, we must confront the painful truths that shape our collective identity.
This proclamation comes after a year of dedicated action and recognition for Emmett Till and his mother. The House resolved to posthumously present them both with the esteemed Congressional Gold Medal, a fitting tribute to their enduring legacy. Moreover, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, enacted last March, finally made lynching a federal hate crime, closing a dark chapter in American history.
The heart-wrenching journey of the Till family has been riddled with disappointments and systemic failures. Yet, this new national monument stands tall against those who have tried to quash the truth and rewrite our shared narrative. As we pay homage and express our gratitude for the Till family’s unwavering determination, let these monuments be a constant reminder that our progress is rooted in confronting the darkest aspects of who we once were.
In the face of hatred and division, the unveiling of these monuments signals the unwavering pursuit of justice for all. Our nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Mamie Till Mobley, Emmett Till, and every innocent life that has been unjustly taken. May these hallowed grounds serve as a beacon of hope, a testament that the arc of history will always bend toward justice.
Author: Ryan Scott
Just a guy
