Viewers of Lovecraft Country‘s third episode, “Holy Ghost,” were shocked to find that among the various nods to Black historical figures, including a young Gil Scott-Heron (Maceo Smedley) and James Baldwin (Keon Rahzeem Mitchell), there was a young boy named Bobo, the nickname used for Emmett Till.
In the scene featuring Gil, Atticus’ (Jonathan Majors) niece Diana (Jada Harris) and their friends playing with a Ouija board, Bobo asks the spirits if he will have a good time on his “upcoming trip.” The spirits quickly and pointedly answer back, “No.” As we know from history, Till’s fated trip to the south ended with him being brutally killed for the “offense” of whistling at a white woman, which happened to be a complete lie.
Eagle-eyed viewers noticed the send-up to Till and responded with shock, sadness, and awe.
When u realize this lil boy was playing Emmett Till before he went on his trip down south….that’s why the ghost said he wouldn’t enjoy his trip ???????????? #LovecraftCountry pic.twitter.com/vAxDd06HpQ
— Theodile’ (@uncle_sluefoot) August 31, 2020
I missed that. Damn pic.twitter.com/MBs9q8sKJA
— theblerdgurl™️ (@theblerdgurl) August 31, 2020
Thys whole Episode was HEAVY and made me sit str8 up in the bed. That Emmett Till part got me tho pic.twitter.com/LjUQylfh2t
— SirSnobby26 (@HeSnob26) August 31, 2020
#Lovecraftcountry I almost didn’t catch that symbolism. The kid with the tie asks the ouija board “Am I going to have a good time on my trip”. The ouija board says “no”. This scene is from 1955 in Chicago, the same year Emmett Till takes the trip to MS. pic.twitter.com/ZBEDSom5pC
— Phinnessee (@phishots) August 31, 2020
When I realized the boy was playing Emmett Till #LovecraftCountry pic.twitter.com/VhJZ8VQTp1
— Petty Ruxpin (@DAB_86) August 31, 2020
Anybody peep the Emmett Till reference in last night’s episode #LovecraftCountry pic.twitter.com/Sh6JUIGqLo
— A Hood-Bougie Duality ???????????????? (@WellDamn_Jess) August 31, 2020
I’m watching tonight’s episode of #LovecraftCountry and it struck me that one young man was dressed like Emmett Till. While playing Ouija he asked if he would have a good time on his trip. His name was “Bobo”. Same as Emmitt’s nickname. I just got the chills. #HBOMax
— Dale Henry/Jung Usul (@SCEdDisruptor) August 31, 2020
There’s so many undercover historical references in #LovecraftCountry . I had to go through the hashtag and see. Just this last episode references James Baldwin, Emmett Till, and Gil Scott-Heron. Amazing writing.
— Luna Moon (@fkalunamoon) August 31, 2020
The ouija board telling Emmett Till he was not going to enjoy his summer vacation, Hippolyta’s grief mixed with the anger of her intuition telling her that Tic is her husband’s child, James Baldwin, experiments on missing black folk & the scoring… #LovecraftCountry pic.twitter.com/xo2A6oPpcS
— ???????? Waverly McFly ???????????? (@tlldrknhndsm_) August 31, 2020
What did you think about Lovecraft Country‘s reference to Till? Let us know in the comments below.
Lovecraft Country airs Sundays on HBO.
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Photo credit: HBO
