Thanks, David. I've been thinking about Emmett Till and his mother, too, this week. Sometimes pictures are worth 10,000 words. My camera is now within reach of my hand every time I go out my front door.
Thanks, David, from Minneapolis for a powerful reminder. In WaPo today George Will (George Will!) compares my hometown to Birmingham when photos recorded the vile tactics of Bull Connor, causing national revulsion and outrage. David Litt and George Will reading from the same hymnal: in a way, it's a footnote to "It's Only Drowning."
Thank you for sharing this - these kinds of stories are so important, especially to younger people for whom the Civil Rights Movement was in the distant past.
Throughout history it has always been one act of courage at a time that has changed the world. Most acts go unnoticed, but they build the foundation of hope.
Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, by the Chinese writer Lu Xun: “Hope cannot be said to exist, nor can it be said not to exist. It is just like the roads across the earth. For actually there were no roads to begin with, but when many people pass one way, a road is made.”
I was in Mississippi at that Time. Thank goodness we keep this murder in the nation’s awareness. As it has been said “you can’t understand the world until you understand Mississippi.
Thank you, David. This is the perfect comment and remembrance for the moment. Emmett’s mother certainly didn’t like the choices she had but out of the heart-breaking options facing her, she bravely chose the truest thing she could do. I take heart knowing that so many of us are making the best choices we can out of what is right in front of us. Bearing witness is potent. So important not to turn away.
Brillaint piece David. The part about imagining no video existing really drives home how accountability has shifted in the smartphone era. I remeber watching bodycam footage from a similar incident last year and thinking how differently things woudl have played out without that documentation. The parallel to Mamie Till's decision is spot on, both required trusting that exposure leads to change.
I have alwatys felt shame that I didn't know about Emmett Till until I cotaught a course with two other instructors. Our theme was scapegoats, and our social science teacher presented the horrific story about Emmett Till, and the brave decision his mother made.
David, I read everything I can (do not watch any mainstream TV stations) It is dismal to the core right now. Thank you for letting us inside your wisdom and words.
The disgusting death of Emmett Till, viewed in photos creeps up our spines and catches our hearts. That was history showing a potent time. What we have seen with our own eyes shakes us to the core of our beings. Can this be our country? Our United States of America? Yes, dear people. This is life under Donald Trump, Kristi Noem, and Steve Miller and the rest of this elite regime.
Continue to SPEAK UP! Make the calls. Hold your ground for what is right under the constitution.
Thanks, David. I've been thinking about Emmett Till and his mother, too, this week. Sometimes pictures are worth 10,000 words. My camera is now within reach of my hand every time I go out my front door.
Crazy that this is where we are in America, but absolutely
Thanks, David, from Minneapolis for a powerful reminder. In WaPo today George Will (George Will!) compares my hometown to Birmingham when photos recorded the vile tactics of Bull Connor, causing national revulsion and outrage. David Litt and George Will reading from the same hymnal: in a way, it's a footnote to "It's Only Drowning."
Yeah, would not have had that on bingo card just a few years ago. Thank you for reading!
Thanks
I was in my 30s during the civil rights movement. It was a very difficult time for me.
I had young children and school age ones in separate schools in the south.
Thank you for sharing this - these kinds of stories are so important, especially to younger people for whom the Civil Rights Movement was in the distant past.
Throughout history it has always been one act of courage at a time that has changed the world. Most acts go unnoticed, but they build the foundation of hope.
Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, by the Chinese writer Lu Xun: “Hope cannot be said to exist, nor can it be said not to exist. It is just like the roads across the earth. For actually there were no roads to begin with, but when many people pass one way, a road is made.”
Former Atty General Eric Holder just echoed your sentiment on Deadline Whitehouse.
I concur with you both.
Beautifully written, thank you David.
I was in Mississippi at that Time. Thank goodness we keep this murder in the nation’s awareness. As it has been said “you can’t understand the world until you understand Mississippi.
Thank you, David. This is the perfect comment and remembrance for the moment. Emmett’s mother certainly didn’t like the choices she had but out of the heart-breaking options facing her, she bravely chose the truest thing she could do. I take heart knowing that so many of us are making the best choices we can out of what is right in front of us. Bearing witness is potent. So important not to turn away.
Brillaint piece David. The part about imagining no video existing really drives home how accountability has shifted in the smartphone era. I remeber watching bodycam footage from a similar incident last year and thinking how differently things woudl have played out without that documentation. The parallel to Mamie Till's decision is spot on, both required trusting that exposure leads to change.
I have alwatys felt shame that I didn't know about Emmett Till until I cotaught a course with two other instructors. Our theme was scapegoats, and our social science teacher presented the horrific story about Emmett Till, and the brave decision his mother made.
David, I read everything I can (do not watch any mainstream TV stations) It is dismal to the core right now. Thank you for letting us inside your wisdom and words.
your word salad has all the right ingredients; morally and spiritually sustaining. thank you.
The disgusting death of Emmett Till, viewed in photos creeps up our spines and catches our hearts. That was history showing a potent time. What we have seen with our own eyes shakes us to the core of our beings. Can this be our country? Our United States of America? Yes, dear people. This is life under Donald Trump, Kristi Noem, and Steve Miller and the rest of this elite regime.
Continue to SPEAK UP! Make the calls. Hold your ground for what is right under the constitution.