The Preacher and the Politician: Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama, and Race in America

The Preacher and the Politician is a thought-provoking and insightful examination of the controversy surrounding Barack Obama's relationship with his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright.

Through meticulous research and analysis, Walker and Smithers reveal how institutional racism and racial stereotypes posed a significant hurdle for Obama in his quest for the presidency.

The authors situate Wright's preaching within African American religious traditions dating back to the eighteenth century, while also placing it in a broader prophetic strain of Protestantism that transcends racial categories.

This comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the controversy sheds new light on the complex and fraught racial dynamics at play during Obama's presidential campaign.

With its balanced perspective and detailed analysis, The Preacher and the Politician is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complex history and ongoing legacy of race in America.