Reflection of Emmett Till

In retrospect of the event that started the civil rights movement, Emmett Till’s story allows one to gain understanding of how racial tension was represented in the 1940-1960’s. An adolescent male’s behavior was the source behind a brutal murder that awoke the nation that would forever change the course of African-Americans in America. Emmett Till’s story signified how far hatred can rise by the simplest measures of a common gesture used among men when they find women attractive. Emmett Till’s case and story opened the doors to the civil rights movement, but unfortunately he paid a heavy price that is incomprehensible that would allow others their freedom of racism in America. As Emmett’s mother described the graphic torture of her son’s body of mutilation and indescribable treatment towards her son like his body set on fire and thrown into a river, all due to racial segregation and laws that were not constitutional at that time. In the Video, Emmett Till: the untold story, there was a candid approach to how he was a typical teenager to a racial targeted victim. It represented in many ways that segregation was very present at that time, and that not even a teenager was secure to be themselves in front of others who were against African-americans.In the fury of a child’s death, and the concern within the black community, adult white men were praised and cheered on as they were acquitted for a hate crime to remind many that it was prejudicial issue that plagued the nation, yet it was Emmett Till case, that allowed african-americans to stand-up for the hatred to cease. The case allowed these white men to be heroes instead of murderers, in which after the case voices of cries for a change led the nation to Rosa Parks, 100 days later, and Dr. King in the 1960s’. African-American Ultimately, giving a long-awaited voice to those who were degraded, and dehumanized because of their skin color. Emmett Till’s life was shortened by racism and opened doors for a culture, although his untimely death was to make a statement, no human on earth should have suffered at the hands of what this fifteen-year-old teenager was subjected to, and his killers exonerated because of their race in the end, a life was taken, and race was a role inthe murder.