New Chicago Exhibit Imagines Emmett Till’s Life If He Had Not Been Murdered in 1955

CHICAGO (WLS) — A new Chicago exhibition is using contemporary photography and modern imagery to imagine the life Emmett Till might have lived had he not been murdered in a racist killing in 1955.

The exhibition, titled “If Emmett Till Lived,” is on view at the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago.

Featuring work from 140 artists, the show asks visitors to reflect on the future, achievements and everyday moments that were stolen when Till’s life was cut short.

“This collective represents us all. We live for Emmett Till, and so many of us still want to change, to honor what his unjust killing required us to see about the work we still have to endure and to achieve,” said curator Sarah Elizabeth Lewis.

Artist Dawoud Bey said the exhibit highlights why historical memory matters and why the people tied to that history must not be forgotten.

“We lose something if we don’t remember history, and we lose something if we don’t fully engage with and celebrate those like Emmett Till who were a part of that history,” Bey said.

Till, a Chicago teen, was visiting Money, Mississippi, with his cousin, Wheeler Parker, in 1955 when he was taken in his sleep after what was perceived as an inappropriate interaction with a White woman.

Till was tortured, and his body was found days later in the Tallahatchie River.

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Parker, who is also a co-curator of the exhibit, said he remains committed to sharing his cousin’s story.

“I’m realizing how important it is to tell it, because somebody believe you. Somebody, you could help somebody believe you,” Parker said.

The exhibit encourages visitors to consider the life Till might have led if he had the opportunity to reach adulthood.

Parker said efforts such as the exhibit bring Till’s story to the present.

“Things like this helps. Believe me, it helps reach a lot of people. Very good. Very good. They can’t be sidetracked. Can’t be stopped,” he said.

Parker said he does not tire of speaking about Emmett Till, though he continues to grieve and wishes his cousin were still alive.