Emmett Till’s Family Pens Open Letter to Lil’ Wayne

After Lil’ Wayne was ridiculed for his lyric on a song called “Karate Chop,” which made reference to Emmett Till, who was murdered in 1955 for flirting with a white woman, Till’s family has now responded in an open letter to the rapper.

“When you spit lyrics like, “Beat that p— up  like Emmett Till,” not

only are you destroying the preservation and legacy of Emmett Till’s memory…but the impact of his murder in black history along with degradation of women,” wrote Till’s estate heir, Airickca Gordon-Taylor.

In the letter Gordon-Taylor both lambasted Wayne’s insensitivity and challenged him to use his celebrity more responsibly.

“The damage is done…how can we restore honor to Emmett Till’s name and legacy of my family?” she wrote. “I extend an invitation for you to join our efforts.”

Read the full letter here at Vibe