Embedded Files
“It is not that I dwell on the past. But the past shapes the way we are in the present and the way we will become what we are destined to become. It is only because I have finally understood the past, accepted it, embraced it, that I can fully live in the moment. And hardly a moment goes by when I don’t think about Emmett, and the lessons a son can teach a mother.” - Mamie Till-Mobley
The Murder of Emmett Till - A Radio Documentary: I've included a recording of this documentary here, because it appears to be no longer available on the Internet. This is such a powerful piece of work. Made before the days of podcasts - this documentary, on Emmett Tills murder and the consequences for his family, the community, and the killers - is to me, still unsurpassed. It also fits in so well with Morrison's "Song of Solomon". Its sentiment regarding the destruction that comes to those who perpetuate hate and evil will be repeated throughout her novel - and especially when Milkman arrives to find his father's "gold". I've played this documentary for my students at various spots in this unit - but I really believe the best time to play it, is right before they read Chapter 6 with its horrific recounting of the Seven Days and their murderous mission. While their actions are completely unforgivable - this radio documentary gives what they do a context and a believability. PLEASE NOTE - THIS DOCUMENTARY CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY BE DISTURBING TO YOUR STUDENTS. IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR THE TEACHER TO LISTEN AND JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES, BASED ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR OWN STUDENTS.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
I don't ask the students to do anything, while I play this Radio Documentary on the murder of Emmett Till, except LISTEN. No worksheet to fill out - no connections to make other than those that they make on their own - in their own minds. And I have to say that those kinds of connections - made independantly are SO important. I taught this novel towards the very end of the year - and for most of the students, towards the very end of their high school careers.
As I said above - I think that this spot - right before the students read (at home) Chapter 6 is the best place to have the students listen to this recording. For most of the years that I played it - they simply listened to the audio. And then as years went on I created a Power Point slideshow (found below) and showed pictures of some of what was being talked about as they listened. Finally - this year - for this website, I created a Video out of the audio file of the recording - by adding appropriate pictures. It was a lot of work - and while I think it's pretty good - I'm not sure that it's any better than just having the students listen to the audio and letting it unfold in their heads.
murderofemmettill-adobeenhanced.wavThe Murder of Emmett Till - A Radio Documentary
The Murder of Emmett Till - A Radio Documentary
The Radio Documentary - An Audio File
This documentary came out in the 1990's - and so it begins by comparing the O.J. Simpson trial to the murder of Emmett Till (both were called the crime of the century). It then takes the listeners back to what happened leading up to Emmett Till's murder - then the trial and the two murderers being found innocent. Next, it looks at how the killers actually made money by selling their story to Look magazine. Finally - and this last part is SO powerful - the narrator goes to see Roy Bryant - the last surviving defendant shortly before he dies. Their encounter speaks volumes. PLEASE NOTE - THIS DOCUMENTARY CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY BE DISTURBING TO YOUR STUDENTS. IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR THE TEACHER TO LISTEN AND JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES, BASED ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR OWN STUDENTS.
murderofemmettillVideo720p.mp4The Murder of Emmett Till - Video with Pictures
The Murder of Emmett Till - Video with Pictures
The Radio Documentary - A Video with Images related to its content
It took me a long time - but I found images to go with the narration of this Radio Documentary on the murder of Emmet Till. The audio only version can be found directly above - and I'm not sure which is better or more appropriate. I believe each teacher will have to make that decision, PLEASE NOTE - THIS DOCUMENTARY CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY BE DISTURBING TO YOUR STUDENTS. IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR THE TEACHER TO LISTEN AND JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES, BASED ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR OWN STUDENTS.
POWERPOINT OF IMAGES RELATED TO THE CASE
POWERPOINT OF IMAGES RELATED TO THE CASE
PowerPoint of photos to play along with the audio version: PPTX PDF
After I had played the audio documentary to my students for a couple of years - I decided to make a Power Point to go along with it. It shows some of the places, people, and remnants of this case. There is no automatic timing so the teacher will have to advance (and go back) on the slides on their own.
Remote Enhancements
Remote Enhancements
This audio or even the video of the documentary can be shared and played in sync with your class remotely. The downside is you won't be able to judge your students' reactions easily.
Though I include a Group Work below - I don't really see it as an option. This chapter needs to be discussed. You have to be prepared - you have to stay focused and you need to make sure that everyone in class has their voice heard. This is, by far, the most controversial chapter to cover in this novel - and the discussion calling for the most thought and sensivity on everyone's part: It concern Guitar belonging to a secret society that murders people based on the crimes that are committed against African Americans in this country. They say that they are trying to achieve a balance. I will confess, it took me quite awhile to feel comfortable and confident enough to discuss this chapter with my students - but I think that it is so incredibly important. Not only to the book as a whole, but to the bigger context of the world at large.
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
Thoughts on the Lesson
Thoughts on the Lesson
I found it necessary in some ways to "jolt" my students with the reality of what the characters of this novel - and in the real world that surrounds this novel, were living. The next lesson - and the next chapter in the book (Chapter 6) are shocking and controversial. In order to see the context of that chapter - I feel that this radio documentary on the murder of Emmett Till - does an incredible job. It also sets the students up for what will come after the next chapter - including the fate of those who - like the murderers of Emmett Till - feel that they got away with murder.
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