ANTI-RACISM’S ACTION IN “THE BLOOD OF EMMETT TILL” NARRATIVE JOURNALISM BY TIMOTHY B. TYSON

Abstrak

Racism is a persistent social phenomenon that continues to shape inequality within modern society. This research aims (1) to identify the types of racism framed in The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson, and (2) to examine the emotional impacts of racism as experienced by Mamie Till-Mobley. The study employs a qualitative descriptive design using content analysis as the primary research method. The data source consists of Tyson’s The Blood of Emmett Till (2017) as the primary text, supported by secondary sources such as books, scholarly journals, and research articles related to racism, anti-racism, and social justice. The analysis is guided by Camara Phyllis Jones’s (2000, 2018) typology of racism, institutionalized, personally mediated, and internalized racism, and supported by Ferdinand de Saussure’s (1916) theory of binary opposition and Rosenblatt’s (2015) theory of emotional response. Additional perspectives from Endraswara (2003) and Damono (2017) on sociological literary criticism frame the interpretation of literature as a reflection of social reality. The findings reveal that institutionalized racism is portrayed through systemic segregation and legal injustice, personally mediated racism is depicted through daily prejudice, humiliation, and discrimination, and internalized racism is expressed through Mamie’s psychological resignation. Moreover, the emotional impacts of racism, grief, sadness, and rage, reflect the deep psychological and moral consequences of racial oppression. These emotions transform Mamie’s suffering into social awreness and advocacy, symbolizing resistance and hope for racial justice. In conclusion, The Blood of Emmett Till functions both as a historical documentation and a moral discourse, illustrating how narrative journalism can expose structural racism and inspire collective consciousness for equality and humanity.