The Discovery of Emmett Till's body in the summer of 1955 is widely considered to be the spark that began the Civil Rights Movement on a national scale. There were organized efforts prior to this point, but the national attention that ensued had all eyes on the Southern United States and the extent of the inequality and injustice that pervaded. On the right is a picture of Mose Wright, Emmett Till's great uncle, identifying Roy Bryant and John "J.W." Milam. These men captured Emmett from Wright's home, tortured him, killed him and left his body at the bottom of the Tallahatchie River. |
Slide Intro presentation of key concepts: The Story of Emmett Till
Step One: Letter writing exercise. To reinforce the impact of this event and to ensure retention of detail, students will have 20 minutes to write a letter of reaction addressed to President Eisenhower or to the Governor White of Mississippi. They will be asked to recount the facts of the case, what they see as the injustice, and how they would like things to proceed. The simulation that follows will enforce the notion of public unity behind this event and the pressure felt by Office of the State of Mississippi. The letter writing exercise can be expanded to to cover an entire class period at the teacher's discretion, with the remainder of the lesson continued in the following class.
Step Two: The Murder of Emmett Till may have been a catalyst, but while it mobilized public opinion, it was not an example of activism. As people became more aware of the injustice in the deep South, organizations that acted as supports attempted bold advances in the fight for freedom. Rosa Parks, for example, refused to move to a different seat on her bus in Montgomery, Alabama. The organized, grassroots action that followed was a significant step towards activism and another crucial turning point for The American Civil Rights Movement. The Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Step three: Discussion. Why did the Boycott have so much economic impact? What was the big picture message for the Civil Rights Movement after the Supreme Court Ruling?
Wrap Up: Review of key concepts. National attention, public opinion, the African-American population as consumers. MLK as an emerging voice. Next class: "From Action to Activism!"
Step Two: The Murder of Emmett Till may have been a catalyst, but while it mobilized public opinion, it was not an example of activism. As people became more aware of the injustice in the deep South, organizations that acted as supports attempted bold advances in the fight for freedom. Rosa Parks, for example, refused to move to a different seat on her bus in Montgomery, Alabama. The organized, grassroots action that followed was a significant step towards activism and another crucial turning point for The American Civil Rights Movement. The Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Step three: Discussion. Why did the Boycott have so much economic impact? What was the big picture message for the Civil Rights Movement after the Supreme Court Ruling?
Wrap Up: Review of key concepts. National attention, public opinion, the African-American population as consumers. MLK as an emerging voice. Next class: "From Action to Activism!"
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