Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See

"Let the world see what they did to my boy” were the heart-wrenching words spoken by Mamie Till-Mobley, who insisted on an open casket for her 14-year-old son. Emmett Till was brutally tortured and murdered for whistling at a white woman while visiting family in Money, Mississippi in 1955.

This traveling exhibition tells the story of Emmett and his mother, whose brave actions fueled the Civil Rights Movement. The show covers Emmett’s childhood, kidnapping, murder, funeral, and the ongoing legacy of these events. A bullet-ridden historical marker noting the location where Emmett’s body was removed from the Tallahatchie River reminds viewers that while progress has been made since 1955, there is still much work to be done. Learning about ongoing racism and violence can motivate and empower visitors to make a ripple for justice in their own communities.

The companion exhibition One History, Two Versions shares works by contemporary Black artists that expand on themes from Let the World See, including Black life, Black love, media representation, and activism.

Let the World See is a collaboration of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, the Till family, and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. It is recommended for ages 10+.