Jiaming Zhang
Autumn Apperson
US History II
21 Apr 2023
Emmett Till’s story
The Civil Rights Movement in the United States holds a multifaceted and intricate history, marked by pivotal events and prominent figures that have shaped the trajectory of the movement. One such event that stands out is the heinous murder of Emmett Louis Till in 1955, a young African American boy from Chicago who suffered a brutal and fatal assault by white supremacists in Mississippi. Eric Foner, in his publication "Give Me Liberty," omits Till's story in his examination of the modern Civil Rights Movement. Nonetheless, Till's story is a crucial addition to the textbook as it introduces a fresh perspective on change within the movement and underscores the role of
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In spite of the implementation of Executive Orders 8802 and 9981 in 1941-1948, which required all defense industries and the army to take affirmative action to ensure employment practices were devoid of discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin, the jury trial in Till's case ignored the strides made by the government towards lessening discrimination in the country. Although the executive orders were formulated to guarantee hopes of equality for African Americans in a white supremacist society, the all-white jury's acquittal of Till's murderers exposed the failure of the justice system to protect African Americans at the national level and emphasized the pressing need for change that was lacking in previous enforcement. The heinous murder of Till by white supremacists exemplified the impunity with which they treated African Americans, while the judges' bias during the trial was a reflection of the broader societal context in which they functioned. Till's case made evident the failure of previous government actions, and the previous hope of equality that the government created was not followed through as the judicial branch's decision in Till's case was not racially monitored. The control of the government by white supremacists and the resulting racial inequality were challenged by the African American community's opposition to the white judges who favored the murderers. It became clear that the struggle for Civil Rights was not merely a fight for rights but also a battle against the entrenched system of white supremacy in American society. The inclusion of Till's story in the textbook would enable Foner to highlight the critical role played by white supremacy and authority in the Civil Rights Movement, emphasizing how these forces hindered progress and contributed to the need for change. This story