{{short description|American pastor (born 1941)}} {{For|the American football player|Jeremiah Wright (American football)}} {{Infobox person |honorific_prefix = [[The Reverend]] |name = Jeremiah Wright |image = Jeremiah Wright ClintonWhitehouse crop.jpg |caption = Wright in 1998 |birth_name = Jeremiah Alvesta Wright Jr. |birth_date = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|1941|9|22}}}} |birth_place = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |other_names = Jerry Wright |spouse = Ramah Reed |module = {{Infobox clergy |child = yes |religion = [[Christianity]] |church = [[United Church of Christ]] |ordained = 1967<ref>{{cite web |last=Hewitt |first=Hugh |author-link=Hugh Hewitt |date=April 25, 2008 |title=Providing Context for Reverend Wright: The New Audio of His Sermons |url=http://www.hughhewitt.com/providing-context-for-reverend-wright-the-new-audio-of-his-sermons |website=HughHewitt.com |access-date=March 12, 2019}}</ref> |congregations = [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] }} |module2 = {{Infobox academic |child = yes |education = [[Virginia Union University]]<br>[[Howard University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of Chicago]] ([[Master of Divinity|MDiv]])<br>[[United Theological Seminary]] ([[Doctor of Ministry|DMin]]) |thesis_title = Black Sacred Music: Problems and Possibilities<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Wright |first=Jeremiah A. Jr. |year=1990 |title=Black Sacred Music: Problems and Possibilities |degree=DMin |location=Dayton, Ohio |publisher=[[United Theological Seminary]] |oclc=33027349}}</ref> |thesis_year = 1990 |doctoral_advisor = [[Samuel DeWitt Proctor]] |influences = [[James H. Cone]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Alberts |first=Hana R. |date=April 28, 2008 |title=Rev. Wright Reclaims the Spotlight |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/04/28/obama-wright-theology-oped-cx_hra_0428blackqanda.html |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=March 12, 2019}}</ref> |school_tradition = [[Black liberation theology]]<ref>{{cite web |date=March 15, 2008 |title=About the Rev. Jeremiah Wright |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/about-the-rev-jeremiah-wright |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=March 12, 2019}}</ref> |workplaces = [[United Theological Seminary]]<br>[[Chicago Theological Seminary]]<br>[[Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary]] |influenced = [[Barack Obama]] }} |module3 = {{Infobox military person |embed = yes |allegiance = {{flag|United States}} |branch = {{flag|United States Marine Corps}}<br>{{flag|United States Navy}} |service_years = 1961–1967 |rank = [[Private first class#United States Marine Corps|Private First Class]]<br>[[Hospital Corpsman Third Class]] |unit = [[2nd Marine Division (United States)|2nd Marine Division]]<br>Presidential medical team }} }} '''Jeremiah Alvesta Wright Jr.''' (born September 22, 1941) is a [[pastor]] [[emeritus]] of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] in [[Chicago]], a congregation he led for 36 years, during which its membership grew to over 8,000 parishioners.<ref name=":0" /> Following retirement, his beliefs and preaching were [[Jeremiah Wright controversy|scrutinized]] when segments of his sermons about [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks on the United States]] and government dishonesty were publicized in connection with the [[Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|2008 presidential campaign]] of [[Barack Obama]].<ref name="banks1">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/21/AR2008032102683.html |title=Obama Finds Pulpit in Center of Racial Divide |access-date=2008-03-22 |last=Banks |first=Adelle |date=2008-03-22 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
==Early years== Wright was born on September 22, 1941.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Meyer |first=Stephen |year=2013 |title=Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. |editor-last=Mazurkiewicz |editor-first=Margaret |encyclopedia=Contemporary Black Biography |volume=103 |location=Farmington Hills, Michigan |publisher=Gale |page=169 |isbn=978-1-4144-8070-1 |issn=1058-1316}}</ref> He was born and raised in the racially mixed area of [[Germantown, Philadelphia|Germantown]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="KingSmith2011">{{cite book|first1=Desmond S.|last1=King|first2=Rogers M.|last2=Smith|title=Still a House Divided: Race and Politics in Obama's America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OqfjeObkbEoC&pg=PA4|year=2011|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]]|location=Princeton, New Jersey|isbn=978-0-691-14263-0|pages=4–}}</ref> His parents were Jeremiah Wright Sr. (1909–2001), a [[Baptist]] minister who pastored Grace Baptist Church in Germantown from 1938 to 1980,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcnj.edu/~brochar2/Rev.%20Dr.%20Jeremiah%20Wright.htm|access-date=March 25, 2008|first1=Gabrielle|last1=Brochard|first2=John|last2=DeVecchi|title=Biographical Essays|year=2006|archive-date=April 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408093442/http://www.tcnj.edu/~brochar2/Rev.%20Dr.%20Jeremiah%20Wright.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Mary Elizabeth Henderson Wright, a schoolteacher who was the first Black person to teach an academic subject at Roosevelt Junior High. She went on to be the first Black person to teach at [[Germantown High School (Philadelphia)|Germantown High]] and [[Philadelphia High School for Girls|Girls High]], where she became the school's first Black vice principal.
Wright graduated from [[Central High School (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)|Central High School]] of Philadelphia in 1959, among the best schools in the area at the time.<ref name="KingSmith2011" /> At the time, the school was around 90 percent white.<ref>{{cite book|first=Jeremiah A.|last=Wright|date=1989|title=The Pilgrimage of a Pastor: The Autobiography of Jeremiah A. Wright Sr.|publisher=Aaron Press|location=Shelbyville, Tennessee|asin=B0006F1LD4}}</ref> The 211th class yearbook described Wright as a respected member of the class. "Always ready with a kind word, Jerry is one of the most congenial members of the 211," the yearbook said. "His record in Central is a model for lower class [younger] members to emulate."<ref name="KingSmith2011" />
==Education and military service== [[File:Jeremiah Wright as a Marine Medic Tending to Pres Lyndon Johnson.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Jeremiah Wright (second from right, behind [[Intravenous therapy|IV]] pole), in 1966, as a US Navy Hospital Corpsman. He is tending to President Lyndon Johnson, standing behind him is [[Bill Moyers]].<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/transcript1.html Bill Moyers Journal. Transcripts {{!}} PBS]</ref> (A letter of thanks on behalf of the President is superimposed on photo).]]
From 1959 to 1961, Wright attended [[Virginia Union University]],<ref name="tucc1">[http://www.tucc.org/pastor.htm Pastor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121094419/http://www.tucc.org/pastor.htm |date=2008-01-21 }} ''Trinity United Church of Christ''</ref> in [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]] and is a member of [[Omega Psi Phi]] fraternity, Zeta chapter. In 1961 Wright left college and joined the [[United States Marine Corps]] and became part of the [[2nd Marine Division (United States)|2nd Marine Division]] attaining the rank of [[private first class]]. In 1963, after two years of service, Wright joined the [[United States Navy]] and entered the [[Naval Hospital Corps School|Corpsman School]] at the [[Great Lakes Naval Training Center]].<ref name="corin1"/><ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-oped0404wrightapr03,0,92000.story Factor military duty into criticism – Lyndon B. Johnson, Dick Cheney, The White House – chicagotribune.com]</ref> Wright was then trained as a [[cardiopulmonary]] technician at the [[National Naval Medical Center]] in [[Bethesda, Maryland]]. Wright was assigned as part of the medical team charged with care of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] (see photo of Wright caring for Johnson after his 1966 surgery). Before leaving the position in 1967, the [[White House Physician]], Vice Admiral Burkley, personally wrote Wright a letter of thanks on behalf of the United States President.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Lawrence|last1=Korb|first2=Ian|last2=Moss|title=Factor military duty into criticism|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-oped0404wrightapr03,0,92000.story|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405022316/http://www.chicagotribune.com///news///chi-oped0404wrightapr03,0,92000.story|archive-date=April 5, 2008}}</ref><ref name="historymbio">{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=331&category=religionMaker |title=Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Biography |access-date=2008-03-23 |date=2002-01-11 |publisher=The History Makers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505043453/http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=331&category=religionMaker |archive-date=2008-05-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="howardubio">{{cite web |url=http://www.howard.edu/charterday/2004/dabios.htm#wright |title=The Biography of the Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. |access-date=2008-04-04 |date=2004-03-04 |work=Charter Day 2004 Distinguished Alumni Biographies |publisher=[[Howard University]]}}</ref>
In 1967 Wright enrolled at [[Howard University]] in Washington, DC, where he earned a [[bachelor's degree]] in 1968 and a [[master's degree]] in [[English studies|English]] in 1969. He also earned a [[master's degree]] from the [[University of Chicago Divinity School]].<ref name="corin1"/> Wright holds a [[Doctor of Ministry]] degree (1990) from the [[United Theological Seminary]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]], where he studied under [[Samuel DeWitt Proctor]], a mentor to [[Martin Luther King Jr.]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Emily|last=Udell|title=Keeping the Faith|newspaper=[[In These Times (publication)|In These Times]]|date=February 8, 2005|url=http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/1918/keeping_the_faith/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420171019/http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/1918/keeping_the_faith/|archive-date=April 20, 2008}}</ref>
Wright and his wife Ramah Reed Wright have four daughters: Janet Marie Moore, Jeri Lynne Wright, Nikol D. Reed, and Jamila Nandi Wright, and one son, Nathan D. Reed.<ref name="corin1">{{cite web|url=http://www.corinthianbaptistchurch.org/jeremiah_a_wright_jr.htm|access-date=March 25, 2008|publisher=Corinthian Baptist Church|title=Dr. Jeremiah A Wright Jr.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329020426/http://www.corinthianbaptistchurch.org/jeremiah_a_wright_jr.htm|archive-date=March 29, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Career as minister== [[File:Jeremiah Wright and Bill Clinton at 1998 White House Prayer Breakfast.jpg|right|222px|thumb|Jeremiah Wright (center left), in 1998, greeting President Bill Clinton during a prayer breakfast at the White House]]Wright became pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago on March 1, 1971; it had some 250 members on its rolls, but only about 90 or so were actually attending worship by that time.<ref>''Yearbooks of the United Church of Christ, 1971–72''</ref> By March 2008 Trinity United Church of Christ had become the largest church in the mostly white<ref name="ajc">{{cite news |url= http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/03/18/wright_0319.html |title=Message of Obama Pastor Forged in Civil Rights Movement |access-date=March 27, 2008 |last= Gorski |first=Eric |date=March 18, 2008 |newspaper=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]}}</ref> [[United Church of Christ]] denomination. The President and General Minister of the United Church of Christ, John H. Thomas, has stated: "It is critical that all of us express our gratitude and support to this remarkable congregation, to Jeremiah A. Wright for his leadership over 36 years."<ref name="ucc">{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.org/news/chicagos-trinity-ucc-is.html |title=Chicago's Trinity UCC Is "Great Gift to Wider Church Family |access-date=2008-03-27 |last=Guess |first=J. Bennet |date=2008-03-14 |publisher=[[United Church of Christ]] |archive-date=2008-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319001843/http://www.ucc.org/news/chicagos-trinity-ucc-is.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Thomas, who is a member of the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in [[Cleveland]], has also preached<ref name="thomas">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anpI-BKp5cg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/anpI-BKp5cg |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|access-date=2008-03-27 |title=White People Welcome at Trinity United Church of Christ |date=26 March 2008 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and worshipped at Trinity United Church of Christ (most recently on March 2, 2008).<ref name="ucc"/> Trinity and Wright were profiled by correspondent [[Roger Wilkins]] in Sherry Jones' documentary ''Keeping the Faith'', broadcast as the June 16, 1987, episode of the [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] series ''[[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|Frontline]] with [[Judy Woodruff]]''.<ref>{{Cite video |people=Jones, Sherry (producer & director), [[Roger Wilkins|Wilkins, Roger]] (correspondent), [[Judy Woodruff|Woodruff, Judy]] (anchor) |date=June 16, 1987 |title=Frontline: reports: Keeping the Faith |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/programs/info/514.html |publisher=[[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS Video]] |location=Alexandria, Virginia |access-date=September 1, 2017 |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425230124/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/programs/info/514.html |url-status=dead }} {{OCLC|18127027|21357978|18126496|42508237}}<br />{{Cite news |author=Ruth, Daniel |title=Chicago minister exalts 'Faith' |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=(Chicago%20minister%20exalts)%20AND%20date(6/16/1987%20to%206/16/1987)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=6/16/1987%20to%206/16/1987)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Chicago%20minister%20exalts)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |format=paid archive |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |page=50 |date=June 16, 1987 }}<br />{{Cite news |author=McBride, James |title=On leaving the ghetto |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73827376.html?dids=73827376:73827376&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |format=paid archive |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |page=F3 |date=June 16, 1987 |author-link=James McBride (writer) |access-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105230030/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73827376.html?dids=73827376:73827376&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |url-status=dead }}<br />{{Cite news |title='Sunday morning worship America's most segregated hour' |work=[[Post-Tribune (Indiana newspaper)|Post-Tribune]] |page=4 |date=June 21, 1987}}</ref> In 1995, Wright was asked to deliver a prayer during an afternoon session of speeches at the [[Million Man March]] in Washington, DC.<ref>{{Citation|date=1995-10-16|title=Official Program|publisher=Million Man March|location=Washington}}</ref>
Wright, who began the "Ministers in Training" program at Trinity United Church of Christ, has been a national leader in promoting [[theology|theological]] education and the preparation of seminarians for the African American church.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefund.org/giving/donor_profiles.phtml?donorID=2 |title=Donor Profiles |access-date=2008-03-23 |publisher=The Fund for Theological Education |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070302014407/http://www.thefund.org/giving/donor_profiles.phtml?donorID=2 |archive-date = March 2, 2007}}</ref> The church's mission statement is based upon systematized [[black theology]] that started with the works of [[James Hal Cone]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/31079.html |title=Obama's church pushes controversial doctrines |access-date=2008-03-28 |last=Talev |first=Margaret |date=2008-03-20 |publisher=[[The McClatchy Company]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tucc.org/talking_points.htm |title=Talking Points |access-date=2008-03-31 |last=Wright |first=Jeremiah |date=2007-03-01 |work=Trinity United Church of Christ website |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080325005805/http://www.tucc.org/talking_points.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-03-25}}</ref>
Wright has been a professor at [[Chicago Theological Seminary]], [[Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary]], and other educational institutions. Wright has served on the Board of Trustees of [[Virginia Union University]], Chicago Theological Seminary and [[City Colleges of Chicago]]. He has also served on the Board Directors of Evangelical Health Systems, the Black Theology Project, the Center for New Horizons and the Malcolm X School of Nursing, and on boards and committees of other religious and civic organizations.<ref name="corin1"/>
Wright attended a lecture by Frederick G. Sampson in [[Richmond, Virginia]], in the late 1980s, on the [[G. F. Watts]] painting ''[[Hope (Watts)|Hope]]'', which inspired him to give a sermon in 1990 based on the subject of the painting – "with her clothes in rags, her body scarred and bruised and bleeding, her harp all but destroyed and with only one string left, she had the audacity to make music and praise God.... To take the one string you have left and to have the audacity to hope... that's the real word God will have us hear from this passage and from Watt's painting."<ref>[http://www.preachingtoday.com/sermons/sermons/audacityofhope.html Sermon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725202135/http://www.preachingtoday.com/sermons/sermons/audacityofhope.html |date=2010-07-25 }} printed in Preaching Today, 1990.</ref> Having attended Wright's sermon, [[Barack Obama]] later adapted Wright's phrase "audacity ''to'' hope" to "audacity ''of'' hope" which became the title for his [[2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address]], and the title of his [[The Audacity of Hope|second book]].
==Controversies== {{Main|Jeremiah Wright controversy}}
Wright, who was Barack Obama's former pastor, gained national attention in March 2008 when [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]], after reviewing dozens of Wright's sermons,<ref name="abc1">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4443788|title=Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, U.S. to Blame for 9/11|first1=Brian|last1=Ross|first2=Rehab|last2=el-Buri|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=March 13, 2008}}</ref> excerpted parts which were subject to intense media scrutiny.<ref name="banks1"/><ref name="usatoday">{{Cite news |first=Ken |last=Dilanian |title=Defenders say Wright has love, righteous anger for USA |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-03-18-obamawright_N.htm |work=[[USA Today]] |date=March 18, 2008 |access-date=April 2, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="adubato-msnbc">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/23745283|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411003619/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/23745283|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2013|title=Obama's reaction to Wright too little, too late|work=[[NBC News]]|date=March 21, 2008|first=Steve|last=Adubato}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24371827 |title=Obama Strongly Denounces his ex-Pastor | work=[[NBC News]]|date=March 14, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008|first=Alex|last=Johnson}}</ref> Obama denounced the statements in question, but after critics continued to press the issue of his relationship with Wright he gave a speech titled "[[A More Perfect Union (speech)|A More Perfect Union]]", in which he denounced Wright's remarks, but did not disown him as a person. The controversy began to fade, but was renewed in late April when Wright made a series of media appearances, including an interview on ''[[Bill Moyers Journal]]'', a speech at the [[NAACP]] and a speech at the [[National Press Club (USA)|National Press Club]].<ref name=autogenerated1>"Listening to Rev. Wright" ''OnPoint'', 29 April 2008.</ref> After the last of these, Obama spoke more forcefully against his former pastor, saying that he was "outraged" and "saddened" by his behavior, and in May he resigned his membership in the church.<ref name="resign">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/us/politics/01obama.html|title=Following Months of Criticism, Obama Quits His Church | author=Michael Powell | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date=June 1, 2008|access-date=June 2, 2008}}</ref>
Nearly five months after the late 2008 [[Gaza War (2008–2009)|Israeli invasion of Gaza resulting in heavy casualties]], on June 9, 2009, in an interview with the ''[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press of Newport News]]'', Wright indicated that he had no contact with Obama up to that point because "Them Jews aren't going to let him talk to me. I told my baby daughter, that he'll talk to me in five years when he's a [[Lame duck (politics)|lame duck]], or in eight years when he's out of office." Wright also suggested that Obama did not send a delegation to the [[Durban Review Conference]] in [[Geneva]] on racism because of [[Zionist]] pressure, saying: "[T]he Jewish vote, the [[American Israel Public Affairs Committee|A-I-P-A-C]] vote, that's controlling him, that would not let him send representation to the Durban Review Conference, that's talking this craziness on this trip, cause they're Zionists, they would not let him talk to someone who calls a spade what it is."<ref name=jew>{{cite news|title=Rev. Jeremiah Wright says "Jews" are keeping him from President Obama|url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_wright_0610jun10,0,7603283.story|date=June 10, 2009|access-date=June 10, 2009|first=David|last=Squires|newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|The Daily Press]]|archive-date=June 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613033848/http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_wright_0610jun10,0,7603283.story|url-status=dead}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Atlantic]]'', [[Ta-Nehisi Coates]] characterized Wright's remarks as "crude conspiratorial [[antisemitism]]."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Coates|first=Ta-Nehisi|author-link=Ta-Nehisi Coates|date=June 11, 2009|title=Jeremiah Wright|url=https://theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2009/06/jeremiah-wright/19138|magazine=[[The Atlantic]]|access-date=October 26, 2021}}</ref> On June 11, 2009, Wright amended his remarks during an interview with Mark Thompson on his radio program, ''Make it Plain.'' "Let me say like [[Hillary Clinton|Hillary]], I misspoke. Let me just say: [[Zionism|Zionists]]... I'm not talking about all Jews, all people of [[Judaism|the Jewish faith]], I'm talking about Zionists."<ref>{{cite web|first=Jake |last=Tapper|authorlink=Jake Tapper|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/rev-wright-i-meant-to-say-zionists-are-keeping-me-from-talking-to-president-obama-not-jews.html|website=ABC News: Political Punch|title=Rev. Wright: I Meant to Say "Zionists" Are Keeping Me from Talking to President Obama -- Not Jews|access-date=June 11, 2009|date=June 11, 2009}}</ref>
Wright wrote on his [[Facebook]] page apologizing for his remarks on June 12, 2009. He wrote, "I mis-spoke and I sincerely meant no harm or ill-will to the American Jewish community or the [[Obama administration]]... I have great respect for the Jewish faith and the foundational (and central) part of our Judeo-Christian tradition."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/06/12/wright-apologizes-for-them-jews-as%20museum-re/|first=Lynn|last=Sweet|title=Wright Apologizes for 'Them Jews' as Museum Reopens|access-date=June 12, 2009|date=June 12, 2009|website=[[Politics Daily]]|archive-date=June 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615055419/http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/06/12/wright-apologizes-for-them-jews-as%20museum-re|url-status=dead}}</ref> "In other words", [[Jeffrey Goldberg]] inferred, also in ''The Atlantic'', "he regrets speaking plainly instead of deploying a euphemism."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/06/rev_wright_clarifies.php|title=Rev. Wright Clarifies|website=[[The Atlantic]]|access-date=June 11, 2009|date=June 11, 2009}}</ref> The pro-Israel [[Anti-Defamation League]] released a statement condemning Wright's remarks as "inflammatory and false. The notions of Jewish control of the [[White House]] in Reverend Wright's statement express classic anti-Semitism in its most vile form."<ref>{{cite web|date=June 11, 2009|title=ADL Expresses Outrage At Reverend Wright's Hateful And Inflammatory Comments|url=http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/5548_12.htm|access-date=June 12, 2009|publisher=[[Anti Defamation League]]|archive-date=April 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413033938/http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/5548_12.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In June 2011, in a speech at Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, Wright called the [[Israel|State of Israel]] "[[international law and the Arab–Israeli conflict|illegal]]" and "[[ethnic cleansing#Genocide|genocidal]]" and insisted, "To equate [[Judaism]] with the state of Israel is to equate Christianity with [rapper] [[Flavor Flav]]."<ref>{{cite news|first=Marta|last=Mossburg|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/06/21/reverend-wright-brings-his-anti-american-crusade-to-baltimore-2/|title=Reverend Wright brings his anti-American crusade to Baltimore|newspaper=[[Baltimore Sun]]|date=June 21, 2011|accessdate=June 22, 2011}}</ref>
==Retirement== Wright retired as pastor from Trinity United Church of Christ in early 2008. Over the course of his tenure, he brought the church's membership from 87 in 1972 to over 8,000 parishioners.<ref name=":0">Jennifer O'Shea. 10 Things You Didn't Know About Jeremiah Wright. ''U.S. News & World Report''</ref> Trinity United purchased a lot in [[Tinley Park, Illinois|Tinley Park]], a predominantly white Chicago suburb, and built Wright a {{convert|10,340|sqft|m2|adj=on}} home valued at $1.6 million.<ref>{{cite news|first=Philip|last=Sherwell|date=3 May 2008|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/local-elections/1924323/Rev-Jeremiah-Wright-to-retire-in-white-suburb.html|title=Jeremiah Wright to retire in 'white suburb'|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>
In September 2016, Wright had a stroke which paralyzed the left side of his body and left him reliant on a wheelchair;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtoninformer.com/rev-jeremiah-wright-still-a-champion-for-the-people/|title=Rev. Jeremiah Wright Still a Champion for the People|work=The Washington Informer|date=January 17, 2018|first=Brenda C.|last=Siler|access-date=November 13, 2020}}</ref> despite the effect on his voice, Wright continues to give sermons on certain occasions.
==Honors== Wright has received a [[Rockefeller Fellowship]] and seven [[honorary doctorate]] degrees, including from [[Colgate University]], [[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln University]] (in Pennsylvania), [[Valparaiso University]], [[United Theological Seminary]], Chicago Theological Seminary, and [[Starr King School for the Ministry]].<ref name="corin1"/> Wright was named one of ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' magazine's top 15 preachers.<ref name="historymbio"/> He was also awarded the first Carver Medal by [[Simpson College]] in January 2008, to recognize Wright as "an outstanding individual whose life exemplifies the commitment and vision of the service of [[George Washington Carver]]".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.simpson.edu/news/jan08/jeremiahwright.html |title=Jeremiah Wright receives Simpson's first Carver Medal |access-date=2008-04-25 |archive-date=2008-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406033733/http://www.simpson.edu/news/jan08/jeremiahwright.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsonian.com/news/2008/03/27/News/Medal.Recipients.Recent.Comments.Stir.Controversy-3284507.shtml |title=Medal Recipient's Recent Comments Stir Controversy |access-date=2008-04-26 |last=Schettler |first=Emily |date=2008-03-27 |publisher=The Simpsonian |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123074046/http://www.thesimpsonian.com/news/2008/03/27/News/Medal.Recipients.Recent.Comments.Stir.Controversy-3284507.shtml |archive-date=November 23, 2008 }}</ref> On May 1, 2008, [[Northwestern University]] withdrew its invitation for him to receive an honorary doctorate in light of the controversy over his recent remarks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080501/pl_bloomberg/axcinkuxnrh8;_ylt=ArcygdlqO6nnXI8sq38YWUis0NUE |title=Rev. Wright's honorary degree canceled by Northwestern |access-date=2008-05-05 |last=Goldman |first=Julianna |date=2008-05-01 |work=Yahoo! News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080510105802/http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080501/pl_bloomberg/axcinkuxnrh8;_ylt=ArcygdlqO6nnXI8sq38YWUis0NUE |archive-date=May 10, 2008 }}</ref>
==Works== * Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., "Music as Cultural Expression in Black Church Theology and Worship", ''Journal of Black Sacred Music'' 3, 1 (1; Spring 1989). * Wright, Jeremiah A. Jr. and Jini Kilgore Ross, ''What Makes You So Strong?: Sermons of Joy and Strength from Jeremiah A. Wright Jr.'', Judson Press, November 1993, {{ISBN|978-0-8170-1198-7}} * Jawanza Kunjufu and Jeremiah Wright Jr., ''Adam! Where Are You?: Why Most Black Men Don't Go to Church'', African American Images, 1997, {{ISBN|978-0-913543-43-6}} (also African American Images, 1994, {{ASIN|B000T6LXPQ}}) * Wright, Jeremiah A. Jr. and Colleen Birchett, ''Africans Who Shaped Our Faith (Student Book and Leader Guide)'', Urban Ministries, Inc., 1995, {{ISBN|978-0-940955-29-5}} * Wright, Jeremiah A. Jr. and Jini Kilgore Ross, ''Good News!: Sermons of Hope for Today's Families'', Judson Press, 1995, {{ISBN|978-0-8170-1236-6}} * William J. Key, Robert Johnson Smith, Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. and Robert Johnson-Smith, ''From One Brother to Another: Voices of African American Men'', Judson Press, 1996, {{ISBN|978-0-8170-1250-2}} * Frank Madison Reid III, Jeremiah Wright Jr. and Colleen Birchett, ''When Black Men Stand Up for God: Reflections on the Million Man March'', African American Images, 1997, {{ISBN|978-0-913543-48-1}} * Wright, Jeremiah A. Jr., ''What Can Happen When We Pray: A Daily Devotional'', [[Augsburg Fortress Publishers]], 2002, {{ISBN|978-0-8066-3406-7}} * Wright, Jeremiah A. Jr., ''From One Brother To Another, Volume 2: Voices of African American Men '', Judson Press, 2003, {{ISBN|978-0-8170-1362-2}} * Wright, Jeremiah A Jr. (2004), "Doing black theology in the black church", pp. 13–23, 213–214. In Linda E. Thomas (Ed.), ''Living Stones in the Household of God: The Legacy and Future of Black Theology'', Minneapolis: Fortress. {{ISBN|0-8006-3627-9}} * Wright, Jeremiah. "Here I am, send me". In ''Awakened to a calling: reflections on the vocation of ministry'', [[Ann M. Svennungsen]] and Melissa Wiginton (Eds.), Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005. {{ISBN|0-687-05390-0}} * Wright, Jeremiah. "In the Lord's house, on the Lord's day". In ''Awakened to a calling: reflections on the vocation of ministry'', Ann M. Svennungsen and Melissa Wiginton (Eds.), Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005. {{ISBN|0-687-05390-0}} * Iva E. Carruthers (Editor), Frederick D. Haynes III (Editor), Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. (Editor), ''Blow the Trumpet in Zion!: Global Vision and Action for the 21st Century Black Church'', Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2005, {{ISBN|978-0-8006-3712-5}} * Ernest R. Flores and Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., ''Tempted to Leave the Cross: Renewing the Call to Discipleship'', Judson Press 2007, {{ISBN|978-0-8170-1524-4}}
Wright has written several books and is featured on [[Wynton Marsalis]]'s album ''[[The Majesty of the Blues]]'', where he recites a spoken word piece written by [[Stanley Crouch]], and on the [[Hallmark Channel|Odyssey Channel]] series ''Great Preachers''.<ref>[http://www.wyntonmarsalis.org/discography/jazz/the-majesty-of-the-blues/ ''The Majesty Of The Blues'' – Track list]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071209060816/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/192432/Great-Preachers-Jeremiah-Wright/overview Great Preachers: Jeremiah Wright (1998)]</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *[http://www.answers.com/Jeremiah%20Wright Biography] at [[Answers.com]] *{{C-SPAN|1004641}} *{{NYTtopic|people/w/jeremiah_a_wright_jr}} *{{IMDb name|2730902}} *[http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=09500HR1073&GA=95&SessionId=51&DocTypeId=HR&LegID=38304&DocNum=1073&GAID=9&Session= Illinois legislature resolution] congratulating Wright on his retirement *Von Hoene Jr., William A. "[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0326trinitymar26,0,2414760.story Rev. Wright in a different light"]. ''Chicago Tribune'', 26 March 2008. *[https://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/profile.html Bill Moyers Journal – "Reverend Jeremiah Wright"] ''PBS'', April 25, 2008, interview *[http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/05/Black-Liberation-Theology-And-Rev-Jeremiah-Wright.aspx Black Liberation Theology and Rev. Jeremiah Wright], interview with Dwight Hopkins, professor of theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School, ''[[BeliefNet]]'', May 2008 *[http://publicservice.evendon.com#JeremyWright Jeremiah Wright's Service to 3 Presidents] photographs and newspaper articles *[http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/rev-jeremiah-wright Wright's blog] at RH Reality Check (one post, February 7, 2008, on HIV/AIDS) *[http://archon.wheaton.edu/index.php?p=digitallibrary/digitalcontent&id=624&q=wright+jeremiah "The Invisible Giant: the Black Church since World War II"] Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections
;Sermons *[https://www.youtube.com/user/TRINITYCHGO Wright sermons] at the official channel of Trinity United Church of Christ on YouTube *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080516062638/http://odeo.com/audio/17889043/view Audio of complete sermon by Wright from which the soundbite on 9/11 was excerpted.]}} *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080509054203/http://odeo.com/audio/17890793/view Audio of complete sermon by Wright from which soundbite "God damn America" was excerpted.]}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080319053840/http://resources.christianity.com/details/cht/19000101/07B1BF53-5CC6-44CC-A7E5-5D9B9B7DEFF7.aspx ''The Audacity to Hope''] sermon from which the title of Barack Obama's book, ''The Audacity of Hope'', is derived. *[http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=4808fe74-023d-417b-8537-33763c33e399 Transcript Of A Jeremiah Wright Sermon given on January 27, 2008] <small>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080326195735/http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=4808fe74-023d-417b-8537-33763c33e399 Archived.]</small> *[https://www.c-span.org/video/?205074-1/faith-social-justice-public-service# Full video of Wright's 28 April 2008 speech on the Black church at the National Press club]
{{Portal bar|United States|Biography|Chicago|Christianity|Politics}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Jeremiah}} [[Category:1941 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:21st-century African-American people]] [[Category:African-American Christian clergy]] [[Category:20th-century African-American clergy]] [[Category:African-American United States Navy personnel]] [[Category:Clergy from Philadelphia]] [[Category:Howard University alumni]] [[Category:Liberation theologians]] [[Category:Military personnel from Philadelphia]] [[Category:Religious leaders from Chicago]] [[Category:United Church of Christ ministers]] [[Category:United States Marines]] [[Category:United States Navy corpsmen]] [[Category:United Theological Seminary alumni]] [[Category:University of Chicago Divinity School alumni]] [[Category:Valparaiso University alumni]] [[Category:Virginia Union University alumni]] [[Category:Central High School (Philadelphia) alumni]] [[Category:American wheelchair users]] [[Category:Clergy with disabilities]] [[Category:People associated with the 2008 United States presidential election]]