Remembering #EmmettTill today.

This beautiful memorial to Emmett can be found at the @eji_org National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL.
#BlackLivesMatter

I had the opportunity to visit Money, MS last year. This is what remains of Bryant’s Grocery, the fateful spot where Emmett was accused by Carolyn Bryant.

I was struck by how quiet and remote this place that changed the course of history was.

This bullet hole riddled sign which has since been removed (and replaced with a bulletproof one) was a stark reminder of how much work there is yet to do. #BlackLivesMatter

Emmett’s body was recovered from the Tallahatchie River a couple of miles from the sign. We drove the lonely dirt road that runs parallel to the river and found this clearing, it was so serene and peaceful and yet felt very surreal.

We also visited the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner, MS. where the trial that acquitted Emmett’s murderers took place. It has been restored to what it looked like in 1955 at the time of the trial.

Outside the Tallahatchie County Courthouse still stands a Confederate statue, a stark symbol of white supremacy that may have given Emmett’s killers reason to believe they could get away with murder.

Across the lawn from the Confederate statue is a plaque commemorating the murder and trial. Thankfully, a lot of effort has gone into making sure the history of this event is not forgotten. #KnowYourHistory #DemCast #ONEV1