COHFA | Writing Your Obsessions: Poetry and Research
Covered Up & Speaking Out: The Found Objects of Emmett Till
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Sociology/Nonprofit Leadership Studies
Minor
Creative Writing: Poetry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Carrie Jerrell
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
The kidnapping, beating and shooting of a 14 year old African American boy for whistling at a white woman, in Money, Mississippi, was the horrendous crime committed by Carolyn Bryant’s husband and his half-brother in 1955.
Ultimately becoming a national news story, this event became a contributing factor to the mass organization of the Civil Right’s Movement. Even more so when, despite evidence of their guilt, the two men were found not-guilty, further fueling the demand for justice.
Months after the crime, Look magazine published “The Shocking Story of Approved Killing in Mississippi.” This printed confession of the two murderers, sparked some individuals to write the magazine’s Editor. In later years, many prominent individuals, would publicly shared their memories and impact that Emmett’s murder had on their lives.
From the confession article, Editor’s letters, shared memories, and selected pages of the original trial transcript I constructed a collection of found poetry in the form of Erasures, further exploring the emotions surrounding this tragic, but historical event. In my presentation, I will discuss the process and significance of sections from the Trial Transcript and Killer’s Confession poems within the collection, with emphasis placed on the form. Through my presentation I plan to exhibit how found poetry can re-imagine the original text to reveal a hidden element of art.
Affiliations
OTHER Affiliation
Other Affiliations
ENG 416/561
Covered Up & Speaking Out: The Found Objects of Emmett Till
The kidnapping, beating and shooting of a 14 year old African American boy for whistling at a white woman, in Money, Mississippi, was the horrendous crime committed by Carolyn Bryant’s husband and his half-brother in 1955.
Ultimately becoming a national news story, this event became a contributing factor to the mass organization of the Civil Right’s Movement. Even more so when, despite evidence of their guilt, the two men were found not-guilty, further fueling the demand for justice.
Months after the crime, Look magazine published “The Shocking Story of Approved Killing in Mississippi.” This printed confession of the two murderers, sparked some individuals to write the magazine’s Editor. In later years, many prominent individuals, would publicly shared their memories and impact that Emmett’s murder had on their lives.
From the confession article, Editor’s letters, shared memories, and selected pages of the original trial transcript I constructed a collection of found poetry in the form of Erasures, further exploring the emotions surrounding this tragic, but historical event. In my presentation, I will discuss the process and significance of sections from the Trial Transcript and Killer’s Confession poems within the collection, with emphasis placed on the form. Through my presentation I plan to exhibit how found poetry can re-imagine the original text to reveal a hidden element of art.