via Wikimedia
Racists want to kill the memory of Emmett Till. Several markers memorializing Emmett, who was murdered by white men in 1955, have been vandalized. One marking where his body was recovered at the Tallahatchie River has been shot multiple times, and now disturbing details have emerged.
A ProPublica investigation found photos of an Ole Miss student named Ben LeClere, his fellow Kappa Alpha fraternity member, John Lowe, and another frat brother of theirs in front of the sign with guns out. They proudly posted this incriminating photo on a private Instagram account.
Sadly, Ole Miss did little to nothing to discipline the students, outside of weakly condemning their behavior, calling it “offensive.” They knew the students' identities and their frat suspended them, but not much else is going on. We have to wonder if Black students can get away with as much!
The Clarion Ledger clarified how the university investigation dropped the ball: “Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks acknowledged that his administration had mishandled the investigation and said that he has launched an internal review into a ‘breakdown in communications.’”
It looks like these boys are just going to get a slap on the wrist for their horrible act. Let’s just hope they don’t end up being cops, judges, or powerful officials.
They can damage a sign, but they’ll never damage how we honor Emmett Till - and, by the way, the replacement sign will be bulletproof.