Explore Black History

July 14, 2013

This DVD contains a recording of the sermon "When the Verdict Hurts, Mark 15:21" given by Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 14, 2013. The sermon is in response to George Zimmerman being found not guilty of the murder of Trayvon Martin. The verdict was announced the evening prior to the sermon.

This DVD contains a recording by the Alfred Street Baptist Church of the sermon "When the Verdict Hurts, Mark 15:21" given by Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley at the Alexandria, Virginia, church on July 14, 2013. The silver disc has black text printed on the front side with information about the video recorded on it and the complete contact information for the church. In the video Wesley stands at the wooden pulpit on a stage with a choir behind him in rows of wooden pews. He is flanked by women and men who sit behind the pulpit. Wesley wears a black cassock with red trim and buttons. The sermon begins with Wesley explaining his disappoint in the verdict of the case of Trayvon Martin's killer George Zimmerman announced the evening prior, followed by a reading of Mark 15:21. Wesley goes on to discuss his struggle with his reactions to the events through a theological perspective and through his position as a black man, separating at times his denies between "Howard-John" and "the Reverend Doctor Pastor." He continues by recounting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the story of Simon, who carried the cross for Jesus. Wesley relates Simon's role as one of being forced to carry the weight of an unjust verdict put upon another (Jesus), and compares it to the role of himself and the congregation in carrying the weight of the acquittal of Zimmerman. Wesley also notes that Simon was an African in Rome for Passover. He proclaims that God carried Simon, and He carried those from Africa through past unjust murders of black men, and that He will carry them through the current situation. He calls on the congregation to carry the weight for their children, drawing comparisons between them and Simon, who had two sons. Wesley says they must "carry it correctly" to prevent their children from only feeling anger and acting in violence, and instead "be productive." He ends by reassuring the congregation that faith in God will see them through and will help them.

DVD of When the Verdict Hurts, Mark 15:21

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Time-based Media - Moving Images

Black Lives Matter

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2013.159.3

sermons
videodiscs
DVDs

© Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

DVD (a): plastic and metal

Diameter: 5 in. (12.7 cm)

Title • When the Verdict Hurts, Mark 15:21

nmaahc_2013.159.3

NMAAHC

WHEN THE VERDICT HURTS, MARK 15:21

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

2010s

Alfred Street Baptist Church • Wesley, Howard-John • Martin, Trayvon

United States • North and Central America • Alexandria • Virginia

Justice • Activism • Black Lives Matter • Men • Preaching • Religion • The Black Church • Worship services • U.S. History, 2001- • Group identity

Baptists • African Americans

City • Alexandria • State • Virginia • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

DVDs • Videodiscs (video recording disks) • Sermons

Electronic resource • Images

Limited Use