WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO Rev Yearwood Jr. issued the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s proclamation establishing the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Mississippi and Illinois on what would have been Emmett Till’s 82nd birthday:
“Hip Hop Caucus joins the nation and celebrates President Biden’s establishment of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. This three location national monument across the states of Illinois and Mississippi will protect and uplift the places that tell the story of Emmett Till’s brief, yet history changing life and the unparalleled courage of his mother Mamie Till-Mobley who fought to make sure her son’s racially motivated murder gained the necessary attention it deserved around the world. These three locations are Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood where Till’s funeral took place and the world was shown the face of American racism, Graball Landing site along the Tallahatchie River where Till’s body was discovered, and the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi where Till’s murderers were tried and acquitted by an all white jury.
It is important especially at a time like this to honor the legacy of Emmett Till and push back against states like Florida trying to teach our children that slavery benefited Black people. It is critical to not allow history deniers to sanitize Black History and erase the racial violence committed against the Black community. This monument’s creation reminds all Americans of our true unfiltered history so that we can learn from, rather than hide from it.”
About Hip Hop Caucus
Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.
