Our online registration and donation forms are currently out of service. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience.

Close
Search
buy tickets

In 1955, the murder of Emmett Till and the criminal trial of his murderers sparked the Civil Rights Movement.

Designed for middle and high school educators, this workshop explores our exhibition Injustice: The Trial for the Murder of Emmett Till and its themes. Dr. Christopher Benson, a journalist, lawyer, professor at Northwestern University, and Till historian, will share his research and writing that examine the historical significance of the murder of Emmett Till. He has coauthored books with Till’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, and Till’s cousin Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr. CHM educators will demonstrate a classroom activity based on the courtroom drawings from the trial by artist Franklin McMahon, which are part of a classroom resource packet for participants.

Free; advance reservations required. Recommended for educators of grades 7–12. 3 PD hours.

What happened to Emmett Till is a difficult part of US history, and Injustice uses photographs, drawings, and first-hand accounts from the time to demonstrate the impacts that systemic racism, inequality, and anti-Blackness can have on Black lives. Please consider your needs as you register for this workshop.

Emmett Till road dedication_st18000844_0020 Mamie Till Mobley (center, arms raised), the mother of Emmett Till, reacts as her son is honored by having 71st Street dedicated in his name, at a ceremony attended by Mayor Richard M. Daley, Rosa Parks, Merri Dee, and others at 71st Street and Oglesby Avenue, Chicago, July 25, 1991. ST-18000844-0020, Chicago Sun-Times collection, CHM
Emmett Till Road dedication_st18000844_0052 Mamie Till Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, speaks at a dedication ceremony for her son, Chicago, July 25, 1991. He is being honored by having 71st Street dedicated in his name. Merri Dee holds up the street sign behind her. ST-18000844-0052, Chicago Sun-Times collection, CHM
Drawing by Franklin McMahon of Emmett Till’s mother, Mamie Bradley testifying at Emmett Till trial. Drawing by Franklin McMahon of Emmett Till's mother, Mamie Bradley, testifying at Emmett Till trial, 1955. CHM, ICHi-038438
Mamie Bradley raises her hand during the funeral service of Emmett Till Mamie Bradley raises her hand as she grieves at the funeral of her son, Emmett Till, Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, 4021 South State Street, Chicago, September 3, 1955. Till, a 14-year-old Black child, was brutally murdered and lynched by two white men, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, in a racist attack. ST-17600006, Chicago Sun-Times Collection, CHM
Drawing by Franklin McMahon of Moses Wright testifiying at Emmett Till trial. Drawing by Franklin McMahon of Moses Wright testifying at Emmett Till trial, 1955. CHM, ICHi-038464
Drawing of twelve jurors at the trial regarding the murder of Emmett Till Drawing of twelve jurors at the trial regarding the murder of Emmett Till, 1955. CHM, ICHi-038478
Drawing by Franklin McMahon of Judge’s bench and witness stand from Emmett Till trial. Drawing by Franklin McMahon of Judge's bench and witness stand from Emmett Till trial, 1955. CHM, ICHi-038449
Translate »