From “Black Prophetic Patriotism: Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr.’s Message, Ministry, and Legacy” edited by Jonathan Chism and LaMont Johnson
Black Prophetic Patriotism: Reverend Jeremiah Wright’ Jr.’s Message, Ministry, and Legacy aspires to address reductions and mischaracterizations of Wright that occurred in 20098. The book illumines his commitment to serving his church, community, and country and clarifies his connection to the Black prophetic tradition. Many Americans who listened to the sound-bite of Wright’s sermons did not understand Black homiletics or the way Black pastors and ministers engage their predominantly African American congregations. Wright not only expounded the gospel, but he also addressed contemporary social realities and creatively intermingled biblical quotes with faith strengthening sacred songs to inspire his listeners. Those who reduced Wright to a sermonic sound-bite had little to no sense of the impactful ministries that developed under his leadership and direction at Trinity United Church of Christ, a predominately Black church, that served as a pillar of the Chicago community for decades. Looking beyond the Obama-Wright controversy in 2008, the essays aim to contextualize Wright in the prophetic tradition of the Black Church and in post-civil rights intellectual traditions. The conclusion to this book includes an interview of Reverend Jremian Wright and his daughter Reverend Jeri Wright conducted by the coeditors. We hope that the interview helps counteract the media’s reduction of Wright to a sound-bite and enhances appreciation of Wright as a beloved pastor, father, humble servant, and truth-teller. We hope this book provokes a broader conversation regarding the necessity of prophetic preaching and activism in post-civil rights America today.