Final answer:
The author's mention of Mother Mobley opening a casket and our eyes symbolizes Mamie Till-Bradley's pivotal role in raising awareness of racial violence by holding an open-casket funeral for her murdered son, Emmett Till, which sparked the Civil Rights Movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Mother Mobley had opened a casket and opened our eyes" refers to the courageous choice made by Mamie Till-Bradley, Emmett Till's mother, to hold an open-casket funeral for her son. Emmett Till, a young African American, was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman.
Mamie Till-Bradley's decision to reveal the disfigured state of her son's body to the public exposed the horrific consequences of racial violence. The shocking images from the open casket served as a powerful visual catalyst, galvanizing public sentiment and sparking outrage that reverberated nationally. This pivotal moment in history is credited with energizing the Civil Rights Movement, as it forced people to confront the brutal reality of racism in America and inspired a collective call for justice and an end to racial injustice.