Thursday (February 16), President Joe Biden And First Lady Dr. Jill Biden invited more than 100 guests to the White House to screen a special screening of Black History Month. The selected movie is until, a historical version of Emmett untillynching in 1955 and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobleyrelentless pursuit of truth and justice.
Shade room was one of the guests of the private event, which included the presence of Danielle Deadwyler, Whoopi GoldbergTill’s relatives, and high school students from Mississippi and Chicago – to name a few.
Before the screening began, President Biden greeted the audience with a short speech emphasizing the importance of knowing the true history of the United States.
“Remembrance of history is about illuminating the good, the bad, the truth, and who we are as a nation. Our history shows that while darkness and denialism hide a lot, they erase nothing,” Biden said. “You can’t erase the past, and you shouldn’t. Only truth can bring healing and justice, and prepare and go one step further towards the promise we all made but never achieved a perfect union. That we have never completely given up on.”
But President Biden’s comments likely won’t be popular in Florida’s recent educational climate. In January, Governor Ron DeSantis‘ the administration blocked advanced placement (AP) African-American studies from being taught in high schools. Based on NBC news, Florida’s Department of Education rejected the AP course in a letter to the College Board, the agency that oversees advanced classes and credits.
Their letter states that the AP course for African Americans is “in stark contrast to Florida law and significantly lacking in educational value.” However, it did not specify which lesson the state felt violated its law. Meanwhile, the College Board’s website says the AP course for African Americans combines literature, political science, the geographic arts, and humanities and has been done for more than ten years.
And this isn’t the first time DeSantis has objected to race-based teachings. Last year, he signed legislation restricting race-based engagements in schools and workplaces. The governor’s latest attack on AP education has raised the threat of a lawsuit by local students.
Unlike the DeSantis administration, Biden lectured on the importance of non-selective learning.
“That’s why we can’t choose to learn what we want to know…we should know. We should know everything about our history,” Biden said. “And that is what great nations do…and we are a great nation. That’s why history is so important. That’s why this movie is so important.”
DETAILS: Screening of ‘Till’ Inside The House and Biden Speech on Lynchings
Invitees pass through the East Wing with a seamless registration process guarded by staff and numerous Secret Service officers. At the threshold, Shade room spoke with political commentator Ana Navarro and EGOT winner Whoopi, who praised TSR with one “I love the Shade Room.”
Outside the screening room, the White House arranged two snack tables for moviegoers, including candies and chocolates, popcorn, soda and water. A string quartet plays live music, and the staff generously greet and guide guests.
For those who haven’t seen the movie, Danielle plays Mamie. Whoopi depicts Mamie’s mother, Alma Carthan. Although both were present, President Biden was the only one to speak in front of the audience. At one point, he highlighted the anti-hanging bill passed in 2022 — decades after Till’s murder.
“…About a year ago, I signed a law that was more than 100 years old,” Biden said. “One of the greatest honors of my career, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, made hanging a federal hate crime.”
Between 1882 and 1968, more than 3,400 Blacks were executed in the United States, according to the Tuskegee Institute archives. Mississippi, where Emmett was executed, had the highest number of reported blacks at 539. Finally, after 200 failed attempts, the House passed the anti-hanging bill by a vote of 422 -3 in early March 2022. Biden signed it into law on March 29. Under the law, hate crimes can be punishable by up to 30 years.
During Thursday’s screening, Biden described the act of hanging as “pure terror.” He emphasizes how Negroes are killed for “trying to vote, trying to go to school, trying to own a business, trying to preach the gospel,” And “simply black.”
President Biden commends the black press for bravely covering Emmett Till’s Lynching case
President Biden concluded his speech by emphasizing the essential role the Black press played in spreading Till’s story. jet magazine published a photograph of Till’s mutilated body, with Mamie’s permission, in 1955.
“There is one more hero in this story that you have to admit…a lot of people forget about this. Black Press at the time. The Times, Jet Magazine and other black newspapers undaunted and bravely shared the story of Emmett Till and etched it in the nation’s consciousness.”
At the end of his speech, the audience stood up and clapped. Throughout the 130 minutes of the film, the audience sniffled and wiped away tears. White House staff had previously placed tissues on chairs in anticipation of emotional reactions to the screening.
After the movie ended, Danielle and Whoopi walked through pub-style rooms decorated with antique paintings, tableware and giant mirrors, talking to guests and taking pictures. White House staff handed out delicious meals, appetizers, desserts, full glasses of champagne, and glasses of wine.
In Biden’s ending on Ida B. Wells:
“The way to correct mistakes is to illuminate the truth about what is wrong,” he said. “That is our responsibility today and still exists.”
