How Did Emmett Till Affect The Civil Rights Movement

Emmett Till was a smart, energetic, and cocky fourteen-year-old boy who was born and raised in the more progressive state of Chicago, Illinois. In the summer of 1955 Emmett went to the state of Mississippi to visit relatives. Unlike Chicago, the south was completely different compared to the north. In the south racial tensions was much higher, and in Mississippi black men did not even dare look at a white woman afraid of facing retaliation from the white residents. Unfortunately, Emmett decided to whistle at a white woman, which sadly cost his life. Emmett Till was beaten so badly his body was unrecognizable, his mother was only able to identify him from his father's ring. The murder of Emmett Till was an event that helped spark the civil rights
The murder of Emmett Till brought nationwide attention, which allowed everyone in the country to know about this tragedy. Emmett's mother's decision to have an open casket funeral also added to the fuel. The murder brought outrage, sadness, and determination to bring change. This event brought awareness not only to the black community but also to the white community to do something about these problems. Many white northerners were not entirely aware of the horrendous murders and lynchings that were happening in the south part of the country. After the pictures of Emmett were circulated in the media, the racial violence that was occurring was hard to ignore. Many white Americans were shocked to find out how an innocent whistle, wink, or even eye contact could end a black man's
It also captured the attention of countries around the world, and even with this much attention and also the confession of the murder made after the men were acquitted, they still went free. The murder mobilized the Civil Rights movement, 100 days after Emmett Till's murder the Montgomery bus boycott took place and the beginning of the movement.
The murder of Emmett Till was yet another reason to keep fighting for peace, equality, and to put an end to racial injustice. This along with many other gruesome murders of other African Americans in the south added fuel to the civil rights movement, which was led by Martin Luther King Jr. until his murder and death in 1968.
The horrible murder of the young fourteen-year-old boy in Mississippi opened the eyes of both blacks and whites. It exposed the southern way of life, which included the murders and intimidation of innocent black men and women. It also helped open their eyes to the racial hatred and injustice, and the fact that it happened to a child made an even greater impact sparking the momentum needed to go after