Emmett Till interview with Mother

Early Life of Mamie Till-Mobley 1.mp3

Fri, 8 Feb 2008 16:16:51 -0500

Mamie Till describes her life growing up in Argo, Illinois. She attended an integrated school and excelled in her academics at a very young age. She earned a place on the deans list every year in high school and graduated second in her class. She attended the Chicago Teachers College and earned a masters from Loyola University.

Trip To Mississippi

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 23:52:22 -0500

Mrs. Till describes her son Emmett as a child and a young man. She describes him as unusually responsible for a boy his age. He attended an integrated school in Chicago. She describes his departure in the train from Chicago to Mississippi. She explains how she prepared Emmett to interact in a society saturated in southern segregated culture.

Money Mississippi

Wed, 6 Feb 2008 23:25:29 -0500

Mrs. Till describes the day that Emmett and his cousins left church during wednesday service and went to Bryants Grocery and Meat Market. The front porch was a place to socialize in such a small town. She describes the events the events that she believes occurred in the store and what she believes occurred that eventually led to his murder. Do you think her scenerio is likely?

Emmett Abducted

Tue, 5 Feb 2008 16:33:08 -0500

Emmett is abducted late in the dark night of a sweltering Mississippi summer. She hypothesized how the Bryants could have found out where her son was staying. She gives great detail of the events that happened in the cabin as the abductors searched and then ultimately kidnapped him. She goes on to describe in detail his torture and murder. CAUTION: This section is graphic and not suitable for young children.

Emmett’s Body

Mon, 4 Feb 2008 23:31:05 -0500

Mamie describes the events that took place which allowed her to get her sons body out of Mississippi and up to Chicago for a funeral. She insists on seeing the body for herself and then decides to have an open casket funeral to let the world see what she had.

Before the trial

Sun, 3 Feb 2008 23:32:31 -0500

Although the Bryants were normally shunned by most townspeople (because the family ran stores that catered to blacks) during the trial they were treated with a great deal of respect. She also describes the difficulty created for the black reporters, witnesses, and even distinguished guests.

The Trial

Sat, 2 Feb 2008 23:33:52 -0500

Carolyn Bryant testifies. Her testimony was so outrageous that the jury was dismissed before she was allowed to finish. Before the verdict was read, Mamie decides to leave the court and the town, as she knew the jury would bring back a non-guilty.

Years Later

Fri, 1 Feb 2008 23:34:54 -0500

Mamie details what happened to the murderers and the town after the trial was over. Both men were driven out of the town. She later describes a bizarre chance encounter with one of the brothers who was running a roadside fruit stand.