Box 1

This collection documents J. Chester Johnson’s literary work. Contents include publications - essays, poetry, and books - as well as research materials, publicity materials, reviews, and copies of personal awards and honors. Johnson's writing focuses on the Civil Rights Movement and the Episcopal Church.

This series contains a selection of publications and manuscripts created by J. Chester Johnson. Arranged by year.

In 2010, Johnson published St. Paul’s Chapel and Selected Shorter Poems, in remembrance of 9/11.

Martin, self-published in 2011, is a reflection piece covering the life and times of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.

The Mixer (2011) covers Johnson’s experience as a school teacher at an all-black school in Monticello, Arkansas, just prior to integration, as well as his attempts to run for mayor in the town during that time.

"Evanescence: The Elaine Race Massacre" (2013) covers the mass murder of African Americans in the fall of 1919 in Phillips County, Arkansas. It brings to the forefront the racism that was prevalent in the area and time as well as gives insights in to the legal proceedings following the massacre. This work was published digitally by the Green Mountain Review.

"A Massacre in Arkansas: Facing Love and History" (2014) was published digitally by Best American Poetry. The article offers Johnson’s insight into the creation of "Evanescence: The Elaine Race Massacre."

This series contains works done for the Episcopal Church of the United States. Arranged by year.

A Litany of Offenses and Apology was a formal apology by the church conducted on a Day of Repentance, for their long term participation in slavery and other associated actions.

For Conduct and Innocents was written to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the death of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was killed by Nazi troops in Germany after being sent to a concentration camp. Bonhoeffer’s words were often used by many Civil Rights activists, including Martin Luther King Jr.