Fifty years after Emmett Till left Chicago for Money, 28 youth from the Windy City have been touring the Delta to witness his story.
"It's been a very good experience. I've learned a lot about what went on back then. I feel like I've relived it," said Satya Shah, 17.
Since June, the students have been studying about race relations across America and in their hometown. The historical study is sponsored by Mikva Challenge, a Chicago-based organization that aims to create political awareness among high school students.
The program this summer has focused heavily on the Aug. 28, 1955, slaying of Till and the subsequent trial in Tallahatchie County, said Brian Brady, the group leader.
"This weekend will serve as an object lesson for everything they learned about Emmett Till," Brady said.
The black 14-year-old, while visiting relatives in Money, was abducted and killed by two white men, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, for acting fresh with Bryant's wife. Bryant and Milam are now dead, but an ongoing joint state-federal investigation is looking to see if anyone still living should be charged with abetting the killers.
Saturday's tour was part of a weekend of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Till's death. It included the opening at Delta State University of an exhibit of contemporaneous photos and letters.
The group of students started Saturday morning at the Sumner courthouse, where an all-white jury acquitted Bryant and his half-brother.
At the courthouse, Wheeler Parker gave a first-hand account of what happened at Bryant's Grocery and Meat Market in Money and the subsequent kidnapping. Parker, a semi-retired barber who lives in Argo-Summit, Ill., accompanied Till on the trip from Chicago.
Parker, 66, described Till as a "fun loving, prankster-type kid." His relatives were reluctant to let Till come to Mississippi because, "in the South, in those days, that wasn't healthy sometimes."
Parker said that he, Till and a group of friends went to Bryant's Grocery to hang around and have a good time.
When Till wolf-whistled at Carolyn Bryant, the white shopkeeper, everyone was terrified.
"He had broken one of the major laws in Mississippi. You just didn't do that," Parker said.
Everyone ran for the car because they thought she was going to go for a gun. No one chased after them, so the group was relieved, assuming it was over.
According to Parker, a girl named Ruth said, "I know these people. I know what kind of people they are. This is not over."
Four days later, her prediction came true. Milam and Bryant came into the home of Mose Wright, Till's great-uncle, and kidnapped Till at gunpoint.
"It was the last time I saw him alive," said Parker.
Traveling with the Chicago teens were two groups from Mississippi - the Cleveland Youth Council and the Ruleville Church of God youth group.
"(Till's) story makes you value your life much more," said Shaikenya Alexander, 15, of Cleveland. "This has really made me more conscience about the decisions I make."
The racially motivated slaying has made her more aware of the condition of race relations today in her hometown, she said.
"It's mostly divided. I don't think it's on purpose, it's just the way it's always been. I think I could change that. You just have to put it in reverse," Alexander said.
Brian Ammons, 17, said Chicago is still segregated. Studying Till's story and finding positive solutions to racial differences have made a difference in his life, he said.
"Emmett Till has really touched a lot of black kids' lives. Coming down to Mississippi was just touching," Ammons said.
The group traveled to Bryant's Grocery from Sumner. State Sen. David Jordan of Greenwood, who was acting as tour guide, reminded the audience of the effect the lynching had.
"We are all saddened by what happened. But we are absolutely sure that it won't happen again in American history and not in the deep South," Jordan said.
Parker said he will never be able to shake from his memory the events that led up to Till's murder.
"You can never forget about that. A tragic moment that happened in your life is there all the time. You can never get rid of it. It changed my whole life."
