Dear America, It's Time to Face Some Uncomfortable History

[@MichaelJohnson-wk8tk]

I'm appalled at the number of black people who don't understand that incidents like this is what is meant by MAGA. Great show Dr. Hunter.

[@reneegraham2201]

Exactly

[@LisaGaynor]

Me too, and I have some relatives that boasted of being for t-rump. I'm horrified!!!

[@greerjones9791]

We need to keep the same energy to keep our Black history alive as the Jews who actively keep the memory of the Holocaust alive. I respect their position to remember who they are and what they experienced. We are witnessing a movement that has erased part of our Black history and is working tirelessly to erase our entire history. Emmett Till is part of that history that they have tried to hide. It pains me to see our people rallying around and supporting those who would like to wish us and our rich Black history away. We exist and always have existed. Project 2025 is slated to eliminate the Department of Education to eliminate Critical Race Theory from the schools to re-write our Country's history to portray it the way they wish it to be. Many people have not had the benefit of their elders recounting the trials and tribulations they went through as Blacks trying to survive during the pre-civil rights era. As a Boomer, it hasn't been that long since I personally experienced some adversity, and going back is not an option. It's not in my DNA to go back.

[@chocodiva]

Agree 100% with this comment. One point of clarification. We also have to fight propaganda with facts. CRT has NEVER been taught in K-12 schools. It is a 3rd-year law school elective course, generally pursued by those going into the criminal law field. This propaganda was started with the "1619 project" and Nikole Hannah-Jones attempt (along with historians nationwide), to expand the telling of History to K-12 students. This would have included a broader and more accurate inclusion of blacks and others within the framework of American history. It would have included more of our trials AND our contributions. THAT is what prompted the CRT propaganda to be introduced into the public political conversation, but it is not accurate. Right now Texas controls all the Educational books that are distributed countrywide and they have been active in trying to change/minimize even the existing history that we DO learn about blacks and others. Whites didn't want their kids to "feel bad" about learning the truth about this country, so CRT propaganda ensued. If we are fighting back, we have to fight back on the right playing field, by starting with facts.

[@anotherpointofview222]

LET BLACK HISTORY DIE. The lie of us being Black. A word, a color , capitalized. "Black." Never was a people. Not our common color. Black is a condition, of being on the bottom of a color caste hierarchy. A racialized identity with no history past the conditions that turned a people into property. Still a commodity. Look to the future. Dont forget the past, but dont be shackled to it. Knowledge is Power. Black History. But the Truth shall make you free. "The Chains Remain."

[@Luckimee]

We can't bc we have black nahtzees

[@manueldavidson1398]

I'm so incensed that some people crazily believe that abuse and brutality by some people against other people is ok and that some would support an individual who spreads hate, division, degrading and demeaning of some people is the "American Way". Thank you Professor Hunter for this very critically needed discussion.

[@reneegraham2201]

Exactly

[@user-ih6lh5sg3l]

Where does Diddy, Dr. Dre, Jay Z, R. Kelly, Russell Simmons, Usher, and so many like them fall when it comes to abusing the black community? Let’s talk about that.

[@jenniferkiergan2881]

Emmett…such a handsome young man with such bright eyes. Who knows what great things he might have done had he been allowed to live his life. My ❤ goes out to his mother.

[@GodfreyTaiOyYong]

I am very pissed at the very sight that WW. could unalive your young Blackmen with a tear.Family these things have been happening for decades and if no one puts a stop to it then you have failed your children not only now but in generations to come.Why do we have to put up with this?

[@estar1758]

Well the truth about America is out plain for all to see right now. Beyond sobering.

[@TW-jo9jd]

Karen Hunter you are a TREASURE THANK YOU for every show.

[@lisahunt1178]

I'm saddened to see black men voting for trump. I uave a new co worker who is a black man. Who is a Trumper. I'd like to talk him out of it and tell him why. But I don't know him well enough to have that conversation. I did tell him to listen to DR. Hunter. I will be buying this book by the way thank you for telling us about it.

[@kerrissedai6857]

Pisses me off to no end!

[@veteransponderosafarm8841]

​@@kerrissedai6857Why?

[@edwardscott4338]

Don't waste your time. I also have a coworker that's a Black Trump supporter and he has only dug his hills in deeper when spoken to about it. When he got himself into a situation with that affected his job his Black coworkers came together and helped him and his family. That's why we felt comfortable enough to speak to him. I no longer speak to him or have anything to.do with him. I want nothing to do with people that are willing to participate in their own destruction.

[@julienalexander6113]

​@@kerrissedai6857me and you both! I really want to .. but I can't say it. About 🤡

[@tiffanyanderson9437]

We’ve suffered enough. And I’m including all the ancestors who were kidnapped. We are not going back.

[@veteransponderosafarm8841]

Back to where if I may ask?

[@karolyn3102]

Absolutely Not Going Back!!!

[@evelynmccastle6146]

Everyone should read the book. Literally trying to erase our history to rewrite the narrative.

[@veteransponderosafarm8841]

​@@karolyn3102You can't go back to a place that you've never left.

[@benniepridgon7629]

​@veteransponderosafarm8841 Not going back to the days of killing Black, White Supremacy, and trying to take the rights away from Black people. Not educating Black people. Trump Project 2025, they don't want Black people to be educated being in positions on power! Caucasian people will be the minority by 2030.

[@karenl7786]

Among their other deeply affecting displays, the DuSable Museum in Chicago has a powerful memorial to Emmett Till. I encourage anyone here, or who visits the city, to view it. NEVER forget ✊🏽

[@KarenHunterShow]

have you seen it? You know Dr. Kim is part of Knubia.

[@karenl7786]

@KarenHunterShow yes! And I'm so appreciative of Dr. Kim in Knubia. A Knubia curated walk-thru of the museum, and this display housed in its own building, would be incredible.

[@KarenHunterShow]

@@karenl7786 we did that with Dr. Carr this year.

[@lornalow7479]

Watching from the UK 🇬🇧 😢. Actually watched Till last night. Black Americans must vote

[@KarenHunterShow]

yup.

[@charli8005]

I downloaded the book after Shonda Rhimes’ post. It is so informative. I can’t explain how comprehensive this book is. It really should be required reading. I was listening to this book on the way early vote. I’m so disappointed that some black folk don’t appreciate all the people who sacrificed, who died, who suffered for us to have this right. I stumbled on a picture of Emmitt Till as little girl in Jet magazine. I read they published it every year. Just knowing someone could do that to child stayed with me but I am so grateful I learned about it and continued to learn. Thank you for sharing about this book because I have been sitting with it since yesterday and I wanted someone to talk about it.

[@terrysmith1434]

Black men voting for Trump is like voting for Lester Maddox,George Wallace,Bull Connor,Ross Barnett,Strum Therman,Barry Goldwater,J Edgar Hoover,did I leave anyone out?

[@taniamondesir]

The Bush's

[@Usmcpb]

The Klan, the old old Democrats. The ones that passed they Confederate flags to MAGA

[@LG4everandever]

Black men and women DID support/vote for barry goldwater when he ran against JFK in the 1960's. Barry goldwater stated at the time that he was against the Civil Rights Act . One of his granddaughter's made a documentary a few years ago and in that documentary we are shown Black men and women making campaign signs and wearing buttons in support of goldwater in his campaign against JFK, smh. Many years ago my maternal grandmother told me about this but I was very skeptical about it, but as usual she was right.

[@LG4everandever]

Black men and women did support/vote for barry goldwater in his presidential campaign against JFK in the 1960's , even though he was against the Civil Rights Act. A few years ago one of barry goldwater's granddaughters made a documentary about his life and in that documentary there is footage of Black people making poster and wearing campaign buttons in support of goldwater for his presidential campaign even though he was against the Civil Rights Act ,smh. In the early 1990's my maternal grandmother told me that there were Black people who supported goldwater's platform during his presidential campaign of the 1960's and I was quite skeptical about that ,but as usual my grandmother was right .

[@carlosabram6030]

Ronald reagan the bushs etc etc

[@auroraseyets8516]

I saw that cover as a child. I never ever forgot it. It's why I watched my baby brother like a hawk and to this day, though he is a grown and married man. It is the stuff of nightmares. The stuff of terror.

[@steveblackwell7940]

This is so powerful, Karen. Thank you!

[@Dream331]

So happy that you’ll be interviewing this author, Prof. Hunter. I actually got the book because you mentioned it last week very briefly so I checked for it. The writing is excellent. This author speaks about the “erasure of history” and he is so right. Can’t wait for your interview 🙏🏾

[@bebechocolateinbarcelona-a5034]

And Till's accuser admitted she lied on top of everything and changed her tune when the possibility of being charged arose...

[@kimcauthen]

This was so completely powerful. Im deeply bothered and sad in my spirit. I felt this so deeply and am at at lost of words. Vote like everyone's life depends on it. Because it does

[@donaldr.highsmith3064]

I love me some Karen Hunter!!!

[@Usmcpb]

A great sister ❤

[@SarahEvansCunningham23]

Roger that!!

[@mmoye8640]

This is so incredibly sad! And upsetting. I'm getting the book and Coates book. We need to preserve our history.

[@lpgilber]

When you mentioned Morgan Freeman, we have to remember that some people move in silence. They don't need the praise of men to do something right. They feel good enough within themselves.

[@viviharris2131]

He very loudly says a lot of things that sound like he would like to forget and just move forward. No other ethnic group is required to do that. We remember what happened to the Jewish in Europe as a part of our childhood education and that happened across the ocean we should be required to learn about the atrocities against black people here in the USA.

[@lpgilber]

@@viviharris2131 I agree that we shouldn't forget what happened to us, but that doesn't negate the fact that some good deeds don't need to be spread by the doer. Sometimes, people only do good things to be praised by man who forgets two days later.

[@RCCrosby]

#NEVERFORGET

[@user-f15d9]

My heart hurts knowing that people with guns would not even allow the memorial signs for Emmitt Till to exist. So much hate.....😢 so much hurt.

[@saigejones3363]

Some uncomfortable history. As Paul Simon sang. Once I look back on all the crap I learned in High School. It’s a wonder I can think at all.😭

[@jljones3461]

How many so called "decent" people looked the other way and kept silent while Emmett was being kidnapped and murdered. Turning your head and staying quiet when witnessing an injustice has to stop if you are serious about making this a place that represents us all.

[@sharronlane3133]

Thank you, Karen and Wright Thomas. I have to get this book.

[@ms.t9399]

My heart aches at the thought of man's in humanity to man...that there are so many people who believe these kinds of atrocities are ok. I can't imagine raising my child to feel that its righteous to brutalize another human being.

[@nobullzone8394]

Inhumanity maliciousness and stupidity go hand in hand with bigotry

[@TheElijahJoy]

I love Dr Mitchell’s note taking

[@shondah.2195]

This is America 🇺🇸 and has been the mindset of some Americans for decades on decades. I recall learning the true account of Emitt Till's tragic story as a teenager in the early 1990's. That story has stayed with me since the summer of 1993. Similarly, Fred Hampton's gravesite in Bethel, Louisiana has been rattled and defaced with bullets year after year until a bullet-proof cover was placed over his headstone around a few years ago. Those who try to obfuscate history and deny truth play an active role in keeping the truth hidden. A country can't truly progress until it faces it wrongs and seeks to repair them.

[@Cneph1964]

I love the depth of emotion and insight in the video. Thank you, Prof. Hunter!

[@33parentino]

Why do we still think that we are dealing with fellow human beings ?

[@veronicamwarren5750]

You are so right. I tell my grandchildren the truth from history. We have to know the truth and be set free. That's the Word.

[@Jalex314]

Preach sisters. A lot of us is so out of touch with reality that we can’t see what’s going on right in front of our face.SMDH

[@julienalexander6113]

I can't even listen to this without getting absolutely mad! My blood is boiling!

[@theresamorelli1108]

Excellent discussion

[@Brklyn_NuYawka]

I'll definitely get this book. Thank you for speaking on it.

[@jordanmcbride5262]

Our history is so sad, but it’s better to know it than not 😢

[@KarenHunterShow]

and it's also to be proud of...we are still here. Look at where we are. Look at you! We are undefeated!

[@properking9019]

Just bought the book right now... Thanks, Professor.

[@coachop94]

One of the reasons some of us don't know our family history is because many didn't talk about it. I grew up not knowing my grandparents had siblings or anything about them. My father never spoke of or mentioned he had aunts,uncles,cousins ever. I don't even know if he knew they existed.

[@kathleenhurd205]

Another fantastic show!!!!

[@Signalaw1]

My household was made to know about the atrocities.

[@edenheaven5175]

Rosewood- my grandfather was a descendant. Of of rosewwood he lived because he was one of first black pullman porter and when they came he was on the train.

[@talkngetn]

I’m 3 hours into the Audible. This is a richly crafted work. If anyone has other recommendations please let me know.

[@KarenHunterShow]

follow this one with Trees by Percival Everett (a novel).

[@othellojonez]

NEWSFLASH...America is the way it is FOR A REASON.

[@H.A.Hiller]

This book! Prof, thanks for featuring it. Looking forward to your follow interviews.

[@paristhomas04]

I hope you all never find out the horrors of George Washington Carvers childhood. I’m from Tuskegee and we know the history not shared in text books. I hope one day we can heal these old wounds.

[@Katlady001]

Shout out to the all black Muslim school in Atlanta that raised me. They made sure we that watched and also studied eyes on the prize as well as other documentaries.

[@justmyopinion9883]

There are 3 books I want to read: 1) Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson. 2) The Message by TeNehisi Coates. 3) The Barn by Wright Thompson.

[@vickiwilcox7565]

I bought the book the same day Shonda talked about it on her IG page. The book has been sitting on my table for over a week waiting for me to get my head right to read it.

[@CarrieWright-c8h]

I heard this story in Montgomery, Al. There was a red barn next to the railroad track. Whenever a train would come through, a so-called called black people were deleted in the barn.

[@renepena3024]

I was watching a post by Beau of the Fifth Column explaining how Whites even had to deride, ridicule, and make racist jokes of Blacks and watermelon because they couldn't even let Blacks have that enterprising win. Something that could have (and was) a source of pride for the slave & ex-slave community, was turned into a joke and another form of mockery thrown at the Black community. Learning these things in my 60s makes me MAD!! Our education system has let all of us down.

[@andreabeady1583]

OMG!!!!! I know that voice I’ve spoken to the author too many times. I can’t want to read his book. He’s a decent man. Please msg me the date of the interview. HISTORY cannot be repeated 😢 Karen always grateful for you and ALL U DO!

[@sherimosley3095]

They can’t handle the truth.,,

[@Katlady001]

Amen and Ameen

[@tonyafrica7085]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@sheritamitchell1036]

And Carolyn Bryant suffered NO repercussions for her false claims .. REALLY???!!!

[@ddrebrne3336]

She didn't.

[@cnowledge]

No justice from the current justice department. #LetsKeepFighting 💪🏾

[@theresabrunson2633]

She did as she sat in that judgment seat…..

[@generalinformation3507]

I had commented on a similar subject some time ago about the whole Emmett till situation and I got crickets🦗 I commented on the fact that some of the men that kidnapped Emmett we're black men. They were inside of the barn, they were outside of the barn listening to him scream. That same yassa boss DNA exist today in the people that say with their full chest that they are voting for a white supremacist🤷🏿

[@wiseentanglement2867]

And the irony is they are still the same and will never change. We are living among devils and demons that are not humans but want to convince us they are humans. I beg the differ they will dehumanise you hurt you and then say it was your fault. May God remove all evil from this world.

[@sunnersky5996]

💯 agree

[@Dustmeyer74]

He was a teenager. They brutalized a minor. You cannot be human to do this to another individual.

[@Jaizensama]

I grew up in Drew, MS. We know who Emmitt Till was and know exactly where that barn is. I don’t know where he was when he asked that.

[@godfatherx8334]

You’ve got me listening to Nina Simone “Mississippi Goddam”.

[@jeromehester9]

MONSTERS!!! the devil's seed. through out history. period

[@OurBlackUtopia]

All I hear is fight fight fight - that’s not a life that’s just survival. We need to be working on financial literacy and equity because in the US money =power

[@arelettia5670]

According to my mother the Mississippi Delta had more interracial kids due to rape! My mother and father had many stories. When I was a child my family often took road trips down south. When we passed the Mississippi River my dad would say this river has thousands of lynched dead bodies.

[@blackholesun5682]

Thank you for the powerful message. Vote blue, please and thank you. 💙💙🥃💙💙

[@NEWYORKSTATEOFMIND-e1s]

Just imagine this is only one of the few horrific incidents that we know of we also know of many other horrific incidents but how many we don't know of?

[@rodb66]

Hello Professor Hunter and commenters

[@realspillmidwestboxingtalk2139]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@kelthe8thman661]

I recall Bill Duke saying in an interview that his parents saw black folks being roasted like pigs. I will never forget that story.

[@SonjaHenney-uy5gy]

I just got the book.

[@chesterswanson4464]

Emmitt Till Dad was also hung while he was in the military.

[@loriwilliams5905]

OMG!! Every iteration needs consideration!!

[@commandershepardmessiah3345]

And then there's the fact that out if those 8 men. 3 of them were black. Men who worked for Bryant and Milam and they disappeared soon after

[@ZolaClyde]

The book The Barn is now in my basket at Barnes and Noble, my only thing is I like the audiobook clips you played but I worry about my mind wandering, which is a problem for me. The author’s voice is captivating.

[@KarenHunterShow]

I love the audiobook.

[@veronicajade20]

I _really_ wish Carolyn Bryant had been held criminally or civilly accountable before she passed. Maybe she should've been sued for wrongful deletion. 😡

[@nobullzone8394]

Yet again an example of Truth being the highest form of currency out here!

[@cookie2727]

Hateful then. Still hateful now. In 2024 in different clothing

[@JaceHarnage]

😢😢😢😢😢😢!

[@johnlewis195]

Morgan Freeman was born in Mississippi

[@odin40]

Just ordered my copy of, "The Barn."

[@allanclaridge6279]

Protected by double jeopardy laws and was paid to testify. 😮😢

[@veteransponderosafarm8841]

If you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. Voting democrat or republican will not suffice.

[@grand-merev.1104]

We are sick as our secrets. The Emmit Till story breaks my heart. I am infuriated by the ones who determine how American history is written. I didn’t know about the Oklahoma massacre until I was in my 70’s! WTF!

[@kevinbaker4693]

😢❤

[@2B-Steele]

Karen I have not even finished T Coates book yet. I am getting a recording for all my books to come.

[@TheZenGarden_]

Deuteronomy 28:15-68 aka the "Transatlantic Slave Trade," 👉🏾 Genesis 15:12-14 ⌛

[@DRGeorgiaYoungbloodBey]

They want people to never know this history about emmit till whom they killed, their ancestors did this.

[@Lakersman24]

I believe as Black Americans we are missing the point about voting for Trump. The point is not what Trump is or is not doing, it’s what the DEMOCRATS are not doing for Black Americans. Democrats have a virtual monopoly on the Black vote, and take it for granted. Just like any business, they have to focus on what the “customer” desires. We need to ask for our tangibles and not lift all boats.

[@jameswilson1522]

Damn

[@33parentino]

Are we fighting to right a sinking ship?

[@KarenHunterShow]

are we in the ship?

[@toreyhorton1789]

With that question, if the ship is sinking and you're in the ship do you try to keep it afloat or as the captain typically commands his passengers, do you, “ABANDON SHIP”? What did the survivors of the Titanic do in this situation?

[@KarenHunterShow]

@@toreyhorton1789 abandoning it to where? Do you have a lifeboat ready to take you away?

[@toreyhorton1789]

@@KarenHunterShow so, are you suggesting North America is the only continent on the planet Earth? I recently came back from visiting countries in Africa and encountered many black Americans who “abandoned” the deeply-rooted racism in the US and are now happy and thriving. Racism is in the roots. It's the foundation that can't be uprooted no matter how hard you all try. Thinking you're an extremely young intern.

[@KarenHunterShow]

@@toreyhorton1789 where do you LIVE NOW? stop running away from the question. If you live in America...fix it. If you plan on leaving, cool. When? What's the plan? do you have a passport and a place to land. if not, get to work and stop bitching in these comments.

[@33parentino]

America is doing it again in Gaza

[@rebeccaalexander128]

Not sure why we are surprised...😢

[@lisahunt1178]

Thats just aweful people destroyed his sign. Omg this has to stop. What happened to him an others should of never happened. I just wish people could just respect each other and be peaceful

[@OpenMindedForever]

100% spot on KM & KH! ❤ Bravo!👏🏿 Bravo!✊🏿 Bravo!🫅🏿 Our pain isn't seeing and knowing the TRUTH about the depravities of past to present-day racism. 🤔⛓️🤔 Our pain is learning that too many of us are complicit in perpetuating the LIES of the racist culprits. 🙈🙊🙉

[@mysteryof7]

No matter how many signs they desecrate, We will NEVER let this country forget Emmett Till.

[@sparker7768]

Young people,, don't sleep on old issues of Jet and Ebony magazine, and their amazing photographs. I learned a lot of American Black history in an unconventional way: my mom is a hoarder and she has hundreds of Jet Magazines. I spent a great deal of my childhood pouring through them to entertain myself in the midst of chaos and junk.

[@sylvester7320]

THE 8 MEN WILL BE JUDGED IF NOT ALL ALREADY BEEN JUDGED, REVENGE IS THE LORD.

[@andrebrown8969]

There is no god.

[@Victoria-tc5cm]

AMEN 🙌

[@liquidsarcasm]

And the third commercial is One for Isreal...😂😢

[@terrysmith1434]

I forgot the Bush’s

[@amplifychristianchurch-sne6314]

Drew is right above Ruleville where Fannie Lou Hamer lived and worked.