Wikipedia defines civil rights as “protections and privileges of personal power given to all citizens by law”.

I never thought much about civil rights until I read the book, “Death of Innocence” by Mamie Till Mobley. In no uncertain terms, Mamie explains the life and death of her son, Emmett Till, in a way that only a mother could. It’s a riveting read that should be required of every schoolchild in America.

Mamie’s story is a remarkable one. What I found even more remarkable, and more chilling, was the FBI’s 2006 report on the reinvestigation of Emmett’s murder. Of particular note is the transcript of Bryant and Milam’s murder trial - the results of which are all too well-known.

To read Moses Wright’s testimony, and to imagine this man’s courage to stand up in a Mississippi courtroom and point (literally) at the two men who murdered his nephew is breathtaking. The way he jockeyed the defense lawyer while under cross-examination should have been enough to earn a conviction on its own.

My favorite lines, when Moses is explaning who was in the bedroom with Emmett when he was kidnapped:

MR. CARLTON: And who else was asleep in that room?

MOSES WRIGHT: Robert and Maurice.

MR. CARLTON: I believe on direct examination, he testified there was nobody in there but Simon and Emmett.

MOSES WRIGHT: Well, that is the way it was. They was in there with Emmett.

MR. CARLTON: Do you mean you are changing your story now from what you said awhile ago?

MOSES WRIGHT: I didn’t say it.

MR. CARLTON: You didn’t say that those were the only two in that room?

MOSES WRIGHT: They was in the only two in the bed, and I didn’t say in the room.

That we could all learn something from Moses Wright’s honesty and forthrightness.

That we could all learn from Mamie Till Mobley’s bravery and courage.

That we could all remember Emmett Till.