President Joe Biden made a significant announcement on Tuesday, designating a new national monument to honor Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. This decision comes amidst an ongoing national debate over how to effectively teach the painful aspects of American history in classrooms.

In a ceremony at the White House, President Biden emphasized the importance of confronting historical truths and rejecting attempts to bury or erase them. He firmly stated that Americans must learn not only what they want to know but also what they should know about their country, including the good, the bad, and the truth of its past. The monument was designated on what would have been Emmett Till's 82nd birthday, adding a poignant significance to the occasion.

Emmett Till was a Black teenager whose brutal murder in 1955 served as a catalyst for the civil rights movement. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, displayed immense courage by demanding an open-casket funeral, allowing the world to witness the shocking brutality of racism. However, nearly seven decades later, concerns have arisen as dozens of states have taken steps to restrict the teaching of issues related to race or racism in schools, leaving students in the dark about America's darkest chapters.

In response to these restrictive policies, the Biden administration demonstrated its commitment to preserving history and promoting reconciliation. President Biden asserted that only by acknowledging the truth can healing, justice, and progress towards a more perfect union be achieved. Vice President Kamala Harris, also speaking at the event, acknowledged that the nation's history is a combination of tragedy and triumph, and it is vital to remember and teach the full history, even when it is painful.

Recently, Vice President Harris made a last-minute trip to Florida to address new state education guidelines that sparked controversy. The guidelines required middle schoolers to be taught about how enslaved people developed skills that could, in some instances, be applied for their personal benefit, as well as mentioning acts of violence involving African Americans. Harris condemned those attempting to erase or rewrite the ugly parts of America's past and inciting unnecessary debates that divide the nation.

The new rules in Florida were enacted after Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Stop WOKE Act, aimed at preventing teachings or mandatory workplace activities that perpetuate notions of privilege or oppression based on race, color, sex, or national origin. Despite accusations from DeSantis that Harris and the White House misled the public about these rules, President Biden's advisers consider the issue a winning one, particularly in engaging young voters and communities of color ahead of the upcoming election.

The national monument designation is the fourth of President Biden's administration and serves as a poignant reminder of an essential chapter in American racial history that should not be ignored. President Biden has previously highlighted the importance of shining a light on dark moments in history, asserting that the past cannot and should not be erased.

The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument will be located in Illinois and Mississippi, the states associated with Till's life and tragic death. The monument will comprise three sites of significance: the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago, the site of Till's funeral; Graball Landing in Mississippi, believed to be where his body was found; and the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse in Sumner, where his murderers were acquitted by an all-White jury.

By establishing this national monument, President Biden ensures that the painful history surrounding Emmett Till's murder is preserved for future generations to learn from and understand.