By: Cheryl Smith
Thirty years ago, I met the Bradleys at Love Field Airport.
I was thrilled to have Mamie Till Bradley Mobley and Gene Mobley, the mother and barber of Emmett Louis Till, as my guests.
The next few days were filled with history lessons and I loved every moment!
In addition to appearing on KKDA-AM with me, the cute couple visited several spots in Dallas and attended church services at St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, where Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. welcomed them with open arms.
Folks clamored to meet the woman who pulled the sheet off America, exposing the savage beating of her only son at the hands of Roy Bryant and his half-brother John William “J. W.” Milam; based on a lie told by Bryant’s wife, Carolyn.
Some would like to forget what happened to young Emmett. I’m proud of the Black Press, namely the Chicago Defender and Jet Magazine, for having the courage to print the pictures of that brutal assault.
There are not enough words to express the gratitude I have for Mrs. Till-Mobley because, through everything she was experiencing, not only did she make some wise decisions like having an open casket, but she also traveled the country calling attention to injustices.
In the first year of the Don’t Believe the Hype Foundation, we were pleased to provide a substantial donation to the Emmett Till Players, which she created.
You may not like hearing about the brutal lynching or seeing the pictures. Just think, at least you didn’t have to live it! And just like many parents told the story of young Emmett, decades later, a similar story was told of Trayvon Martin. And there are many untold stories.
So, as more and more efforts are made to erase our history, I hope that every time any descendants of those vicious murderers search for info on their ancestors, Emmett’s pictures will pop up, along with the stories and my writings of their savage behavior.
