Why was the Emmett Till casket left open?

The Emmett Till casket was left open for his funeral to allow the public to witness the brutal reality of his murder, which was a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, insisted on the open casket to expose the horrific violence faced by African Americans and to call attention to the injustices of racism. This powerful visual impact aimed to evoke outrage and mobilize support for civil rights. The images from the open casket became iconic in highlighting the brutality of racial violence in the United States.