A poignant and profound evening awaits as the National Civil Rights Museum gears up for its Book & Author Series event, featuring Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr., the last surviving witness to the abduction of his cousin, Emmett Till. This significant gathering, set to take place on Wednesday, October 4, at 6:00 pm Central, will provide a platform for Parker to discuss his book, “A Few Days Full of Trouble: Revelations on the Journey to Justice for My Cousin and Best Friend, Emmett Till,” co-authored with Christopher Benson.
The tragic tale of Emmett Till, a fourteen-year-old from Chicago who was brutally lynched in the Mississippi Delta in 1955 while visiting family, ignited a fiery catalyst within the Civil Rights Movement that continues to burn brightly. Yet, the passage of nearly seven decades has left lingering questions about what justice means for a case shrouded in history, particularly in light of the recent passing of Carolyn Bryant, the woman who accused Till of assault.
In “A Few Days Full of Trouble,” Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr., as Emmett Till’s cousin and best friend, stands as a lone survivor who bore witness to the night of terror when young Emmett was snatched from his family’s rural Mississippi Delta home.
The book offers a fresh perspective on the Emmett Till story, delving deep into the emotional and suspenseful narrative set against a backdrop of reporting errors, manipulations, racial reckonings, and political pushback. Parker’s account is enriched with previously undiscovered insights from the investigation, the resurrection of memory, and the indomitable courage of faith. “A Few Days Full of Trouble” emerges as a compelling work of truth-telling, a gift to readers grappling with the weight of the past while nurturing hope for the future.
Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr., currently serves as pastor and district superintendent of the Argo Temple Church of God in Christ in Summit, Illinois, a church with deep roots in the family history of Emmett Till. He is a seasoned lecturer and educator on the history of the struggle for equal justice in America.
Christopher Benson, an Emmy Award-winning lawyer, journalist, and associate professor at Northwestern University, brings his expertise to this collaboration. He previously co-authored the Pulitzer Prize-nominated, award-winning book “Death of Innocence” with the late Mamie Till-Mobley.
Attendees of this hybrid Book & Author Series event can also purchase autographed copies of “A Few Days Full of Trouble” at the Museum’s store and online. The event, starting at 6:00 pm Central, is open for registration and free to the public. For additional details, visit civilrightsmuseum.org.
This book discussion precedes the unveiling of the museum’s exhibition, “Emmett Till & Mamie Till: Let the World See,” where Parker and his family have played a pivotal role as consultants in crafting a more comprehensive narrative about Emmett Till and his family’s relentless pursuit of justice. Event attendees will have a special opportunity to view the exhibit before it opens to the public.
About the National Civil Rights Museum
Situated at the historic Lorraine Motel, the site where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was tragically assassinated, the National Civil Rights Museum offers a comprehensive overview of the American Civil Rights Movement, spanning from the era of slavery to the present day. Since its inauguration in 1991, the museum has welcomed millions of visitors, including over 90,000 students annually. Serving as a pivotal public square, the institution remains committed to honoring and preserving the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while chronicling the American civil rights movement and advocating for ongoing human rights struggles. The museum has earned accolades as a 2019 National Medal Award recipient by the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS), and ranks among the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Top 5% U.S. Museums, USA Today’s Top 10 Best American Iconic Attractions, and more.
