Emmett Till was a 14-year-old African American boy who was brutally lynched in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of whistling at a white woman. His murder is often regarded as a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and helped to galvanize support for the movement for racial equality in the United States.

Emmett Till's mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, made the decision to have an open-casket funeral for her son, allowing the world to see the horrors he endured. The publication of a photograph of Emmett Till's mutilated body shocked the nation and brought international attention to the violent racism that African Americans faced in the United States.

Despite overwhelming evidence, including a confession from the two men responsible for Till's murder, an all-white jury acquitted them. The case became a symbol of the systemic racism and injustice that Black people faced in the American legal system.

Emmett Till's tragic death and the lack of justice served as a catalyst for the civil rights movement, inspiring activists and leaders to fight for racial equality and justice. His legacy continues to resonate today as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and the need to address the systemic racism that persists in society.