Well you see, my cousin Simeon Wright was the one who actually was called upon to donate my casket. Originally, there was going to be a memorial set up in honor of my mother and I until someone took the money and placed it back in this old shed at the cemetery. Finally, when my cousin had seen what they did with my casket without notifying anyone he took it in his hands and donated it to the Smithsonian. There were many museums that would have loved it, but this one stood out because it was a civil rights museum. My coffin is now on display there to represent that my death actually happened. That I existed and I was not just a picture in a book, but this was my real life that people need to remember. I am glad with my cousin's choice on my coffin's location and couldn't be more proud of it's purpose and what it stands as for people today.
I just wanted to let you know how happy I was 8 years ago when I found out that your murder case was being reopened. I found the exact words I said that day on http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-05-10-till-case_x.htm. It was something like "this is a day of mixed emotions. We're glad that the investigation is being re-opened but sad that it has taken so long."
Your comment on my case being reopened was heartwarming. The amount of time that it took to really get going again blows my mind, but what can you do. As long as there are decent people like you out there, I know my case is in the hands and hearts of good people.
Your case opened the eyes of Mississippi to the hatred in the south. It showed us that not even children were safe anymore. Your death influenced so many people due to the publicity. My heart broke for your mother, I can't imagine losing a child. However, I thank her for putting your story out there and for being so strong to get justice for you. Your case changed the way that some people view race problems. People had so much sorrow and were even embarrassed. Although it was out of your control, thank you so much for making a difference.
I can not put into words how much your comments on my death made me feel better inside. For quite some time I felt so much anger and hate for what these men had put my mother through, what they put my family through. Having people like you who truly get what happened to me is what makes the days get easier for my family and people who didn't even know me. Thank you for keeping your husbands activism alive by doing what you do. You are quite an inspiration yourself.
Even though I am no longer the head of the NAACP, I still fight for the rights of African Americans. Your case is one of the most well-known and most brutal examples of the dangers of racism so I was very happy that you might finally see some justice.
Thank you for taking time to discuss this with me,
Do you think your mother would be proud of what you are saying to me right now. I know you are ‘‘a racist who prided himself on knowing how to handle the Negro and keep him in his ‘place’’ but, your mother died when you were eight years old. How did it feel growing up without her around? Now switch the shoe, my mother went on without me in her life. How did that make her feel? Probably ten times worse. In a way, I feel sorry for you that you are so bitter and can not see the truth in your words. Keep trying to keep me in my place there Theophilus, because all you really did was put me in a better place and make me a known hero to people everywhere.
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Emmett Till's Comments
Comment Wall (10 comments)
I read something interesting recently about the Smithsonian museum and your coffin. Can you tell me about it?
Well you see, my cousin Simeon Wright was the one who actually was called upon to donate my casket. Originally, there was going to be a memorial set up in honor of my mother and I until someone took the money and placed it back in this old shed at the cemetery. Finally, when my cousin had seen what they did with my casket without notifying anyone he took it in his hands and donated it to the Smithsonian. There were many museums that would have loved it, but this one stood out because it was a civil rights museum. My coffin is now on display there to represent that my death actually happened. That I existed and I was not just a picture in a book, but this was my real life that people need to remember. I am glad with my cousin's choice on my coffin's location and couldn't be more proud of it's purpose and what it stands as for people today.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/QA-Simeon-Wright.html?c=y&page=2
Hello Emmett,
I just wanted to let you know how happy I was 8 years ago when I found out that your murder case was being reopened. I found the exact words I said that day on http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-05-10-till-case_x.htm. It was something like "this is a day of mixed emotions. We're glad that the investigation is being re-opened but sad that it has taken so long."
Hello Kweisi,
Your comment on my case being reopened was heartwarming. The amount of time that it took to really get going again blows my mind, but what can you do. As long as there are decent people like you out there, I know my case is in the hands and hearts of good people.
Emmett
Emmett,
Your case opened the eyes of Mississippi to the hatred in the south. It showed us that not even children were safe anymore. Your death influenced so many people due to the publicity. My heart broke for your mother, I can't imagine losing a child. However, I thank her for putting your story out there and for being so strong to get justice for you. Your case changed the way that some people view race problems. People had so much sorrow and were even embarrassed. Although it was out of your control, thank you so much for making a difference.
Sincerely,
Myrlie Evers-Williams
http://amhscivilrights.ning.com/profiles/blogs/an-interview-between-orlando-bagwell-of-washington-university-and
Myrlie,
I can not put into words how much your comments on my death made me feel better inside. For quite some time I felt so much anger and hate for what these men had put my mother through, what they put my family through. Having people like you who truly get what happened to me is what makes the days get easier for my family and people who didn't even know me. Thank you for keeping your husbands activism alive by doing what you do. You are quite an inspiration yourself.
Emmett
http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_evers_medgar_1925_1963/
emmet its too bad we both had to give our lives to help our communities gain more rights.
I'm glad you died, served you right for talking to white people. Thinking your equal, how funny.
Emmett,
Even though I am no longer the head of the NAACP, I still fight for the rights of African Americans. Your case is one of the most well-known and most brutal examples of the dangers of racism so I was very happy that you might finally see some justice.
Thank you for taking time to discuss this with me,
Kweisi
Theophilus Eugene "Bull" Connor,
Do you think your mother would be proud of what you are saying to me right now. I know you are ‘‘a racist who prided himself on knowing how to handle the Negro and keep him in his ‘place’’ but, your mother died when you were eight years old. How did it feel growing up without her around? Now switch the shoe, my mother went on without me in her life. How did that make her feel? Probably ten times worse. In a way, I feel sorry for you that you are so bitter and can not see the truth in your words. Keep trying to keep me in my place there Theophilus, because all you really did was put me in a better place and make me a known hero to people everywhere.
http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_connor_theophilus_eugene_bull_1897_1973/
Emmett
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