‘Till,’ discussion featured at Lewiston library as part of Black History Month

LEWISTON – The city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office is highlighting Black History Month with a special screening and discussion on the 2022 film “Till,” followed by discussion, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the library, 200 Lisbon St.
The program is free and open to the public.
Ayat Hamza, an attorney at OgleTree, will introduce the film. The discussion to follow will be led by Marcelle Medford, assistant professor of Sociology at Bates College, and Melissa Hue, Lewiston DEI director.
The movie presentation will be followed by interactive discussion with audience members. Medford and Hue will co-facilitate discussion of the movie, its impact on the civil rights movement, and where we are now.
“Till” depicts the story of Emmet Till through the lens of his mother, Mamie Elizabeth Till-Mobley. Emmett, 14, visiting Mississippi from Chicago, in 1955, was accused of offending a white woman, and was then abducted, tortured, and lynched. The brutality of his murder and the subsequent acquittal of those responsible drew national attention to the long history of violent persecution of African Americans in the United States.
Mamie Till insisted that the casket containing Emmet’s body be left open because, in her words, “I wanted the world to see what they did to my baby.” She travelled the nation showing pictures of her son’s body, his face, and the brutality, doing so to bring awareness to the injustice happening towards African Americans and to mobilize people to take action in support of humanity.
The film is rated PG-13 and deals with sensitive content.
For more information on the event, click here.