Black vernacular English and the rhetoric of Jeremiah Wright

Abstract

In this exposition I discuss the rhetorical conventions which are prevalent in the Black Church in order to demonstrate how the African American rhetorical tradition helps shape the cultural identity of many African Americans. Additionally, I explain the central tenets of Black liberation theology as it informs Black Church sermons in order to provide theological underpinnings for the largely misconstrued comments within the sermons of Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Wright's comments were largely misapprehended by those outside of the Black Church who are unfamiliar with the African American rhetorical tradition. My contention and overarching purpose in this exposition is to delineate the ways in which Black vernacular permeates, saturates, and colors religious sermons, especially those informed by Black liberation theology as exemplified in the sermons of Jeremiah Wright.