The documentary is great. It gives an in depth look into the death of Emmett Till and the strength of character and resolve found in Mrs. Mamie Till-Mobley. It is heartbreaking. The only thing that was lacking was a dive into the backgrounds of the men involved in the killing. Even though this is meant to be a focus on Emmett and his mother, just out of sheer curiosity I would've still like to have known more about these men. Who were these monsters who got away with this? What other crimes had they committed? Regardless, it is an excellent documentary.
(What follows is simply a rant of my own personal views and is not a reflection of how good or bad the documentary is.)
I am a 43 year old white woman who lives about four hours from where this crime took place in the town of Money, Mississippi. I am a born and raised southerner and I'm proud to be one when it comes to the ideals of hospitality, love of God and devotion to family. However, the ghastly history and mistreatment towards people of color at the hands of inhumane, ignorant, egotistical, self-righteous whites makes me physically sick and ashamed of being southern.
I cannot understand how a people who live in the bible belt and claim to love the Lord could so unconscionably mistreat, dehumanize and murder any of His children. No matter your race, religious differences, sexual preference, political views, saved or not, we are ALL God's children. No one falls out of the scope of God's love. This is what the bible teaches us.
John 3:16 states: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
It doesn't say "For God so loved whites, Christians, heterosexuals, or conservatives." It says "For God so loved the WORLD". He loved us before He sent Christ and at no point does it say that He STOPS loving us if we do not choose to believe in Christ. It only states that belief saves us from perishing and grants us with everlasting life. No matter what, we are ALL LOVED by GOD. So how can anyone mistreat another child of God.
My heart aches for the fear and pain Emmett suffered and the hurt that his family and the black community faced over this senseless crime and the justice they were denied. However, Mrs. Mamie Till-Mobley's statement that God spoke to her with the message that Emmett was chosen to spark a call for change was truly remarkable. No doubt her grief was immeasurable but it seemed she felt a sense of peace in God's purpose for her young son's life.
My rant is meant to be one of love and a hope that people open their eyes, minds and hearts because the fight for equality is still not over.
