President Biden talks about knowing America’s REAL history
On Thursday (February 16) President Joe Biden And first lady dr Jill Biden seemingly invited over 100 guests to the White House for a special Black History Month screening. The selected film was Until, a historical rendition of Emmet Till‘s 1955 Lynch and his mother, Mamie Till Mobley‘s tireless pursuit of truth and justice.
The shadow room was among the guests of the private event, which included the presence of Danielle Deadwyler, Whoopie Goldberga relative of Till, and high school students from Mississippi and Chicago – just to name a few.
Before the screening began, President Biden greeted the audience with a short speech emphasizing the importance of knowing true US history.
“Remembering history is to shed light on the good, the bad, the truth and who we are as a nation. Our history shows that while darkness and denial hide much, they don’t erase anything,” Biden said. “You can’t erase the past, and you shouldn’t. Only with truth comes healing and justice and preparation and one more step forward to that promise we all made but never achieved a perfect union. We never gave that up completely.”
But President Biden’s comments probably wouldn’t be popular in Florida’s recent educational climate. In January, Governor Ron DeSantisThe US government blocked the teaching of African American Advanced Studies (AP) in high schools. Accordingly NBC News, Florida Department of Education rejected the AP course in a letter to the College Board, which oversees classes and credits for advanced placements.
Her letter said the AP course is African American “inexplicably violates Florida law and severely lacks educational value.” However, it failed to specify which teachings it believes the state violates its laws. Meanwhile, the College Board’s website says the AP African American course blends literature, political science, geography, arts and humanities and has been in the works for over a decade.
And this isn’t the first time DeSantis has opposed race-based teachings. Last year he signed legislation restricting racial engagement in schools and the workplace. The governor’s recent attack on AP education prompted the threat of a lawsuit from local students.
Unlike the DeSantis administration, Biden preached the importance of non-selective learning.
“So we can’t just choose to learn what we want to know… we should know. We should know everything about our history,” President Biden said. “And that’s what great nations do… and we’re a great nation. That’s why history is so important. That’s why this film is so important.”
DETAILS: In the house “Till” screening and Biden’s speech on lynchings
The invitees entered through the east wing with a seamless check-in process guarded by staff and numerous Secret Service officials. At the door, The shadow room spoke to political commentator Ana Navarro and EGOT winner Whoopi, who complimented her TSR with a “I love The Shade Room.”
Outside the screening room, the White House set up two tables with movie snacks, including bite-sized candies and chocolate, popcorn, sodas, and water. A string quartet played live music, and the staff generously greeted and guided guests.
For those who haven’t seen the film yet, Danielle plays Mamie. Whoopi plays Mom’s mother, Alma Carthan. Although both were present, President Biden was the only person addressing the audience. At one point, he highlighted the anti-lynching law that was passed in 2022 — decades after Till’s assassination.
“…It has been almost exactly a year since I signed into law an act that took more than 100 years to prepare,” Biden said. “One of the great honors of my career, The Emmett Till Antilynching Act, making lynching a federal hate crime.”
Between 1882 and 1968 over 3,400 black people were lynched in the United States Tuskegee Institute Archives. Mississippi, where Emmett was lynched, has the highest number of reported lynchings of black people at 539. Finally, after 200 failed attempts, the House of Representatives passed the anti-lynching bill in early March 2022 by a vote of 422 to 3. Biden signed it into law March 29. According to the law, hate crimes can be punished with up to 30 years.
During Thursday’s screening, Biden described the lynching as “pure terror”. He highlighted what blacks were being killed for “Trying to vote, trying to go to school, trying to run a business, trying to preach the gospel” And “just be black.”
President Biden credits Black Press with fearless coverage of Emmett Till’s lynching
President Biden concluded by emphasizing the essential role of the black press in spreading Till’s story. jet magazine published the photograph of Till’s mutilated body in 1955, with Mamie’s permission.
“There’s another hero in this story that needs to be acknowledged…a lot of people forget that. The Black Press back then. The Times, Jet Magazine and other black newspapers have been unabashed and courageous in sharing Emmett Till’s story and imprinting it on the nation’s consciousness.”
At the end of his speech, the audience rose in applause. During the 130-minute film, the audience sniffled and wiped their tears. White House officials had previously placed tissues on the seats in anticipation of emotional reactions to the screening.
After the film wrapped, Danielle and Whoopi floated through saloon-style rooms decorated with antique paintings, crockery and huge mirrors, chatting with guests and taking photos. White House staffers distributed bite-sized treats, appetizers, desserts, filled champagne flutes and wine glasses.
In Biden’s closing quote from Ida B. Wells:
“The way to right wrongs is to shine the light of truth on wrongs,” he said. “That is our charge today and still exists.”
https://theshaderoom.com/president-joe-biden-till-movie-black-history-month-white-house/ President Biden talks about knowing America’s REAL history
