A documentary showing Thursday in Omaha explores the life and murder of Emmett Till, and the struggle for justice following his death.
Metropolitan Community College is hosting the showing of “Who Killed Emmett Till?,” and a discussion following. Till was 14 years old when he was killed in 1955 while visiting family in Mississippi. Two men accused of Till’s murder were acquitted, and the case became a key part of the Civil Rights Movement.
Deborah Watts, co-founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, hopes the documentary and discussion spur young people to call for change in their communities.
"We would like young people to be aware of what happened in 1955, and our firm belief is being aware of what happened back then, part of American history which is not often included in our American history and our education system, but being aware of what happened so that some of those same things won’t happen again."
Watts hopes the discussion will empower young people and spread a message of hope.
The event begins at 6:30 pm Thursday at Metro’s Fort Omaha campus. More information is available at www.mccneb.edu/intercultural.