In a time where blacks were less valued than dogs

before Martin dared to dream

before the Scottsboro boys wished for freedom

Emmett Till had a face

A beautiful face that dared to rebel

they feared what they could not force into submission, so they destroyed him

they beat him until he cried to the heavens, and then they beat him until his own mother could not recognize him

We did this to him

Us

The world

we push our quandaries to the side, or throw them under the rug, they will still remain

even though we live in a world filled with ignorance and hate, Emmett Till will continue to have a face