US (Washington Insider Magazine) – President Joe Biden has announced the establishment of a national monument to honor Emmett Till, the Black teenager whose lynching in 1955 became a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement. During a ceremony at the White House on what would have been Till’s 82nd birthday, Biden signed a proclamation celebrating both Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley.
“Only with truth comes healing, justice, repair, and another step forward toward forming a more perfect union,” Biden stated, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical context of Till’s story. He expressed hope that visitors of all backgrounds would learn about the contributions of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley through the new national monument.
Biden also highlighted the significance of speaking out against injustice, saying, “Silence is complicity. I will not be silent, nor will you be silent, about what happened.” The brutal killing of 14-year-old Till in Mississippi and his mother’s activism—including her decision to hold an open-casket funeral to expose the brutality of his murder—played a crucial role in galvanizing the movement to end segregation and the Jim Crow laws in the South. “It’s just barbaric—barbaric—what happened,” Biden remarked, urging reflection on the courage displayed by Till-Mobley in allowing the public to witness her son’s mangled body.
The establishment of the national monument has been welcomed by many observers as a significant step in honoring the legacy of both Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against anti-Black racism, especially amid efforts by some right-wing politicians to limit the teaching of American history in schools.
