Emmett Till Trial

It is rare for a victim of a hate crime to get the justice they deserve. During the 1950s, the establishment of Jim Crow Laws in the South were extremely fixated on racial disenfranchising African-Americans. Mississippi was no exception, in that they glorified the Old South more than any of their fellow southern states. Young and independent Emmett Louis Till went to Mississippi to visit some relatives over the summer. 14-year-old Emmett Till was kidnapped, tormented, and murdered, after he reportedly flirted with a white woman who went by the name of Carolyn Bryant. The death of Emmett Till at the hands of his racially motivated killers, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, was brought to light in their confessions. Even with the undisputable incriminating

Following the charges that were brought against Roy and J.W., they were detained, “ … and put on trial, journalists from around the world flocked to the courtroom. Thus, the whole world heard when the all-white jury returned a verdict of not guilty” (Squires). The trial and the aftermath of it’s disputable verdict, sent an explicit and paralyzing message about racial oppression and justice in the South during the Jim Crow Laws Era. A year after the proceedings, “Bryant and Milam sold their story to Look magazine for thousands of dollars, recounting exactly how they kidnapped and lynched Till” (Squires). Despite disclosing to publications the felony they committed in exchange for wealth, the acquitted duo was free from all criminal charges. Even after all the chaotic and influential events that occurred, as well as all the years that passed, “The legacy of Emmett Till and the piercing truth of the long life and struggle of Mobley still scream out to this day to demand justice and equality for black America and all those who have been victimized and oppressed by racism and injustice” (Chavis Jr.). Similar to Emmett’s time, there are multiple victims now that parallel with the tragedies that befell Emmett Till and the discrimination he

Like any other child his age, Emmett had the potential to live out a wonderful life. Although afflicted with polio, Emmett Till still managed to enjoy a happy childhood in the care of his mother. Even at school Emmett maintained stable friendships with many of his classmates due to his charm and comedic personality. When Emmett was not spending time at school, he was engrossed in baseball with his friends. Emmett’s mother saw his affection for the sport and would drive him and his friends to the baseball field for them to take part in the sport they truly loved. As he grew older, Emmett volunteered himself to his community. He would perform errands and chores for his neighbors without asking for a single penny, but it did not take long before Emmett desired to explore the rest of the nation and eventually took a train with his cousins back to Mississippi (Aretha 13-14). He was cherished by people who knew him and who were close with him. Emmett was enjoying his life until they robbed him of his adolescence. Before Mamie let him go off to Mississippi, “ … she had drilled him on proper etiquette over and over again” (Aretha 16). His mother informed him of the racism and violence directed towards blacks down south, but he paid little attention to what she told him. Often in the southern states, “ … whites