Steven Ahillen
April 16, 2000
TH 100-3
Vernon Johns: The Prophet is Rejected in His Own Land
Dr. Vernon Johns was an African-American minister. He was an angry, brilliant preacher. He was candid and was never afraid to say what he thought. He preached for civil rights and social justice. He and his message would be soundly rejected not only by whites, but by the people of his own congregation.
The council of deacons at Dexter Church in Alabama elected Dr. Johns pastor. He wasted no time in beginning to spread his message. He began his ministry with a vigorous speech about Lazarus and Dives. The congregation was shocked at his frankness about the consequences of racism. Little did they know this would only be one of his many powerful sermons. After the sermon, he tried to get the pianist to play "Go Down, Moses," but she refused. Dr. Johns was shocked and troubled by this. Despite his anger, he let it go and they sang a different song. When Dr. Johns and his family return home, his family is greatly troubled by his message. They do not understand why his needs to be so angry and even accusative of the congregation. The council of deacons called a meeting to speak with Dr. Johns. They were upset with his homily. "I wonder if the congregation is ready for you," Deacon Hill questioned. The council of deacons made it clear to Vernon Johns that they did not want any trouble, so they asked him to reconsider his future sermons.
A young black person is killed by Alabama police officers for "supposedly resisting arrest." Dr. Johns doubted this and referred to it more as a lynching. Dr. Johns said to another deacon, "What you need is justice!" Deacon Wilks, the head deacon of the parish, pleads with Johns not to rock the boat because the people of Dexter do not want any trouble.
After another beating of a black individual, Dr. Johns attempts to get witnesses to come forth. He criticizes the congregation for standing by and letting this happen. The community is greatly offended once again, and the council of deacons grows more furious with Johns' conduct.
Dr. Johns heads to an all white diner sometime after the sermon. There he is ridiculed and humiliated by the bartender and the customers. He speaks about his encounter the following Sunday. He uses it as another example of the unfair treatment blacks receive. After his sermon, he once again attempts to convince the congregation to sing "Go Down, Moses." Once again, the pianist refuses. With this Dr. Johns' is enraged. "No one wants to hear 'Go Down, Moses.'" He questions them if it is beneath their dignity. He proclaims that they mistake dignity for vanity. He questions the congregation by asking if they are ashamed of their slave descendants. Dr. Johns declares, "You are ashamed of what you were, I'm ashamed of what you�ve become!" With this his audience is shocked and disturbed by Johns' message.
Following the sermon, his wife questions if he is trying to leave them. She sees his actions as harmful to the family. Because of Dr. Johns criticism of the parish, Baby Dee, his daughter, tells her father, "Sometimes I think you want to die." Baby Dee believes her father is working for his reforms with no regard for his family. She follows with, "You don't care about us,", but Dr. Johns replies, "It's because I care about you that I do what I do." He is telling her that he wants her to be able to experience social equality, so he must make sacrifices. Dee does not understand, and leaves crying.
Dr. Johns brings forward a new attempt to persuade the people that they can gain their rights peacefully. "Money is power," Dr. Johns says to the congregation. "Whoever has control has all the answers." He begins to sell various items outside the church that the people would otherwise have to buy from whites. The deacons are furious with Dr. Johns� actions. Deacon Hill is the only person in the community who understand Johns. He decides to help Vernon Johns in his attempt to bring about social reform.
Baby Dee has a debate meet, but the Johns' car will not start. Dr. Johns reluctantly decides to ride the bus. When he is not allowed to sit in the white section, he is agitated. He pleads with other blacks on the bus to boycott the busses. The people ignore him, and Dr. Johns and Baby Dee get off the bus. As a result, Baby Dee misses her meet. She is upset with him again along with her mother.
Janet Cook, a young woman of the congregation, comes to the Johns' house shortly after being raped. Dr. Johns and Baby Dee take her to the hospital, but the law prevents the doctors from treating her. They are rejected service and sent to a hospital farther away.
Vernon Johns then prepares his sermon entitled "When the Rapist is White." The governor of Alabama warns Dr. Johns that there could be concequences if he givess the sermon, but Dr. Johns ignores his threat. Johns once again speaks out against the injustices of racism. He asks the congregation to sacrifice to work for civil rights. He says many are afraid they will get hurt, but Johns says, "His hide ain't worth it."
Following his sermon, the council of deacons meets again. Deacon Wilks question, "Why don't he leave it alone?" Deacon Hill defends Dr. Johns by saying, "He asks for change!" Deacon Wilks proposes they reject Dr. Vernon Johns as pastor by vote, but because the vote needs to be unanimous, Dr. Johns stays because Deacon Hill will not vote for him to leave.
Deacon Hill later stumbles upon police beating a black man. Deacon Hill debates his course of action, and decides to step in. He is shot and killed by an officer.
Dr. Johns then receives death threats from whites on the phone. A group of whites places a burning cross in front of the church. When Johns returns home from confronting the whites, he finds his home vandalized and his family hiding. Baby Dee finally understands Dr. Johns' message.
These events inspire Dr. Johns, most forceful speech, "It's Safe to Murder Negroes." Dr. Johns speaks out against Deacon Hill's death. He says, "A rabbit can be out of season, but Negroes are always in season" His words shock the congregation. Dr. Johns then says, "It occurred to me that the crucifixion was just that: a lynching. And isn't it ironic that everything we worship was made possible by a lynching?" The gathering is once again appalled by Dr. Johns. He enrages the crowd when he accuses, "Hypocrites! That�s what you are!" He then questions, "Are you worthy of Jesus Christ, or are you only worthy of the state of Alabama!?" The people are alarmed by Dr. Johns' questions. The council of deacons looks on in disapproval. With that, the police enter the church and arrest Dr. Johns. Some members of the community including the pianist finally understand Johns' message of equality and sing "Go Down, Moses."
Dr. Johns finally ultimately rejected when he is relieved of his pastorship. Deacon Wilks decides, "What we need is a more traditional pastor." Dr. Johns and his family pack up and leave to find a new pulpit.
Dr. Johns was rejected by everyone. He brought a message of social justice and an end of racism, but the congregation discarded him except for very few at the very end. He even faced oppression from his own wife and daughter. Dr. Johns was truly a prophet rejected in his own land.