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"Because Wheeler survived. Because he and Emmett rode their bikes on this street. Because the gun still fires, because the barn is a barn, because time is thin and fragile. Because the dirt Jeff Andrews and I were taught to love is very different from the dirt Wheeler Parker was taught to fear."

This book is just bringing me to my knees.

My current read. A non-fiction look into the murder of 14-year old Emmett Till in 1955. Wright Thompson grew up just miles away from the barn, although never once heard the name Emmett Till until he was an adult. Wright explores the history of racism in the Mississippi Delta, the consequences of covering up this story, and why learning about accurate history is essential. A must read.
#BlackHistoryMonth #NonfictionRead

A patron at work recommended this book about the murder of Emmitt Till. It‘s a brutal read but I‘m glad I listened to it. Thompson grew up 25 miles from Till‘s murder and never heard of it until he went away to college. He does extensive research to give the reader the history of the Mississippi Delta, its people and what is believed to have happened surrounding Till‘s lynching.

The Barn is the true story of a young black boy brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Emmitt Till was the boys name, and because he whistled at a white woman, he was murdered. What surprised me most about the book is that Wright Thompson grew up in Mississippi and was never taught about it in school. Even almost 70 years later, it's still not talked about. It seems to me that if we never discuss the past, how can we ever expect to ⬇️

This story of the murder of Emmett Till, told by a man who grew up near where it happened but never knew, is superb. Wrapping together local history, the murder itself, and deep knowledge of the area, it trends new ground from the equally good The Blood of Emmett Till. I‘m glad this story is no longer hidden and hearing the author come to terms with his own past ignorance and unintended racism is affecting.

I wasn‘t sure how I would feel about a white author sharing this story but wow, I blinked and I was over 100 pages. Apparently I don‘t care as long as the writing is good and it‘s not about white lady tears. So good!

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a digital review copy. I hope the finished copy has a few family trees because there are some complicated relations. Wright Thompson tells the tale of a place trying to keep the secrets of the past buried, of family and friends who were haunted by the events of that Summer day and by the murderers and their accomplices who were allowed to go on living their wretched, self-serving lives.