Injustice: The Trial for the Murder of Emmett Till

“The murder of my son has shown me that what happens to any of us, anywhere in the world, had better be the business of us all.”
—Mamie Till-Mobley

In 1955, the murder of Emmett Till, a Black teenager from Chicago, and the subsequent criminal trial in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, attracted international attention and sparked the Civil Rights Movement.

Injustice: The Trial for the Murder of Emmett Till begins with photographs of a joyful Emmett in life and of his funeral attended by thousands. The trial proceedings are then shared through courtroom sketches by Franklin McMahon. These drawings give a visual account of a trial that amplified the inequities Black Americans face within the US court system, including a lack of equal protection under the law.

Such injustices were challenged by the courageous actions of Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, and others who boldly stand in the face of racial injustice. This exhibition prompts visitors to consider how Emmett’s legacy continues in those seeking justice for Black lives today.

Note to visitors: This exhibition contains objects, images, and descriptive language depicting anti-Black violence and lynching. What happened to Emmett is a difficult part of US history, and Injustice uses the materials on display and accounts from the time to demonstrate the impacts that systemic racism, inequality, and anti-Blackness can have on Black lives. Please consider your needs and the needs of your group as you move through the gallery.

Related Event

Teacher Workshop | Teaching the Legacy of Emmett Till
Tuesday, January 14, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Earn up to 6 PD hours; $25

Learning Resources

The Murder of Emmett Till
This PBS documentary details how the murder and the trial of Emmett Till helped mobilize the civil rights movement.
“I Wanted the Whole World to See”: The Murder of Emmett Till
From Facing History & Ourselves, this six-lesson unit delves into the history and legacy of the murder of Emmett Till, considering what we can learn from it as we work to achieve racial justice.
Virtual Talk | Activated Archives: Black Trauma, Identity, and Culture
Part of CHM’s Lovecraft Chicago: History, Horror, & Afrofutures program from 2021, this talk features Christopher Benson, associate professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism; Vanessa Hintz, licensed clinical psychologist; and Charles E. Bethea, CHM Andrew W. Mellon Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs
He Would Have Been 79
In this blog post from 2020, Charles E. Bethea writes a brief account of Emmett’s life and his death as a catalyst for the modern Civil Rights Movement.
“Emmett Till’s Day in Court”
Following CHM’s acquisition of Franklin McMahon’s courtroom drawings, then curator Joy L. Bivins wrote this illustrated essay on Emmett Till and the trial for the fall 2005 issue of Chicago History magazine.

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Select Images

Emmett Till Road dedication_st18000844_0052

Mamie Till-Mobley addresses the crowd at a dedication ceremony for a stretch of 71st Street that was honorarily named Emmett Till Road, July 26, 1991. ST-18000844-0052, Chicago Sun-Times collection, CHM

Drawing by Franklin McMahon of Judge’s bench and witness stand from Emmett Till trial.

Sketch by Franklin McMahon of the judge's bench and witness stand from the trial, 1955. CHM, ICHi-038449

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 Till-Mobley, testifying the trial, 1955. CHM, ICHi-038438

Drawing by Franklin McMahon of Moses Wright testifiying at Emmett Till trial.

Drawing by Franklin McMahon of Moses Wright testifying at the trial, 1955. CHM, ICHi-038464

Drawing of twelve jurors at the trial regarding the murder of Emmett Till

Drawing of by Franklin McMahon of the twelve jurors at the trial, 1955. CHM, ICHi-038478

Emmett Till road dedication_st18000844_0020

Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks at the street dedication ceremony for the stretch of 71st Street that was honorarily named Emmett Till Road, July 26, 1991. ST-18000844-0020, Chicago Sun-Times collection, CHM

Crowd outside of Roberts Temple Church of God, located at 4021 South State Street, during the funeral of Emmett Till, Chicago, Illinois, September 3, 1955. DN-R-4827, Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection, Chicago History Museum.

Curators and Advisors

Charles E. Bethea

Andrew W. Mellon Director of Curatorial Affairs

Charles E. Bethea is responsible for overseeing all curatorial activities, provides an overall curatorial vision and direction, and prioritizes all work in the department. In addition, he provides direction for the Museum’s collecting agenda including new acquisitions and deaccessions and the development of new exhibitions.

Christopher Benson

Emmy Award–winning lawyer, journalist, and associate professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism—co-authored both, A Few Days Full of Trouble with Rev. Parker and the Pulitzer Prize–nominated, Robert F. Kennedy Award–winning Death of Innocence with Mamie Till-Mobley. Benson currently serves on the board of directors of the non-profit Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute.