Background
Donald Wright was born on August 3, 1944 in Richmond, Indiana, United States; the son of Richard Marion, a guidance counselor and professional golfer and Wilma Beth (Sprong), a science teacher Wright.
(Oral Traditions from the Gambia, Vol. 1: Mandinka Griots ...)
Oral Traditions from the Gambia, Vol. 1: Mandinka Griots (Papers in International Studies) [Donald R Wright] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0896800830/?tag=2022091-20
1979
(What are the origins of slavery and race-based prejudice ...)
What are the origins of slavery and race-based prejudice in the mainland American colonies? How did the Atlantic slave trade operate to supply African labor to colonial America? How did African-American culture form and evolve? How did the American Revolution affect men and women of African descent? Previous editions of this work depicted African-Americans in the American mainland colonies as their contemporaries saw them: as persons from one of the four continents who interacted economically, socially, and politically in a vast, complex Atlantic world. It showed how the society that resulted in colonial America reflected the mix of Atlantic cultures and that a group of these people eventually used European ideas to support creation of a favorable situation for those largely of European descent, omitting Africans, who constituted their primary labor force. In this fourth edition of African Americans in the Colonial Era: From African Origins through the American Revolution, acclaimed scholar Donald R. Wright offers new interpretations to provide a clear understanding of the Atlantic slave trade and the nature of the early African-American experience. This revised edition incorporates the latest data, a fresh Atlantic perspective, and an updated bibliographical essay to thoroughly explore African-Americans’ African origins, their experience crossing the Atlantic, and their existence in colonial America in a broadened, more nuanced way.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119133874/?tag=2022091-20
1990
(Niumi, a small, little-known territory located on the ban...)
Niumi, a small, little-known territory located on the bank of the Gambia River in West Africa, is seemingly far from the reaches of world historical events. And yet the outside world has long had a significant - and increasingly profound - impact on Niumi. This fascinating work shows how global events have affected people's lives over the past eight centuries in this small region in Africa's smallest country. Drawing on written and oral testimony, and writing in a clear and personal style, Donald R. Wright connects 'globalization' with real people in a real place. This new edition updates discussions of global history and African history based on current studies and new developments that have been factored into the interpretive framework. Reflecting on recent visits to Niumi, Wright extends the story into 2009, to consider the impact of global recession and domestic political repression under a regime in power for the past fifteen years. Punctuating the narrative are photographs, maps, and 'Perspectives' boxes on selected topics such as the sale of slaves five centuries ago, colonial sexism, the fate of press freedom, and how popular culture affects growing up in a traditional society. Throughout, the author deals with African history seriously, global trends critically, and human lives sensitively.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765624842/?tag=2022091-20
1997
(The Only Prayer I'll Ever Pray: Let My People Go is a sti...)
The Only Prayer I'll Ever Pray: Let My People Go is a stirring call for blacks in America to critically examine their loyalty and dedication to religion and to begin adapting a lifestyle centered on rational thinking. It is time to break the chains of mental bondage caused by religious dogma. This book is a compelling presentation of practical reasons using a common sense approach that encourages blacks in America to disregard their need for religion. It provides a perspective on the harmful influences of religion. Author Donald R. Wright addresses the effects organized religion, primarily Christianity, has had on blacks in America from slavery to the present. He gives a brief but concise explanation as to how slaves were converted to Christianity. He has decoded this Matrix called religion. This book presents the case as an advocate for an alternative view. The author explains a part of his life's journey that began in 2002 and how it brought forth significant changes and new interests. The book explores questions many Christians have wanted to ask, but are afraid, or if certain ones are asked, they are told to just have faith. In 2004, after another disturbing church experience, this author made a commitment to be a more knowledgeable Christian in lieu of being a handicapped Christian; totally dependent upon pastors, preachers, and teachers for interpretation and instruction regarding the Bible. This commitment lead to a discovery of the many contradictions in the Bible. A contradiction makes truth difficult to attain. Further study lead to a thorough evaluation of Chistianity. This book provides compelling definitions of religion; covers the mis-education of Christians; religious loyalty of blacks; the influence of preachers and the mega church; and black men and the church. It challenges the so-called moral authority of religion and the deprivation of children having the freedom to choose a religion or reject religion in its totality. It is a quest to invigorate thoughts that will move our society toward positive change. Donald R. Wright, former deacon in a Baptist church, has been on a truth-seeking journey regarding religion and its practices for the past five years. He graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and is a professional engineer. He currently owns an engineering consulting firm in Houston, Texas. Wright and his wife have been married for 29 years and they have one daughter. He is a native of Fayette, Alabama.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608442918/?tag=2022091-20
2009
Donald Wright was born on August 3, 1944 in Richmond, Indiana, United States; the son of Richard Marion, a guidance counselor and professional golfer and Wilma Beth (Sprong), a science teacher Wright.
Donald Wright studied at DePauw University, graduating from it with Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966.
Donald then studied at Indiana University in Bloomington, United States, receiving a Master of Arts Degree in 1968 and a new degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1976.
In 1974 Donald Wright started his career as a cooperator in Fulbright Program, which lasted till 1975.
Originally he was an editorial assistant in the American Historical Review from 1975. Then he continued his career at the State University of New York College in Cortland, New York, United States. In 1976 he became an assistant professor and held this position until 1984.
Since 1980 to 1995 Donald Wrigh was a presenter of summer workshops in New York State Council for the Social Studies. In 1982 he became a collector and curator in the National Museum of the Gambia in Banjul.
In the period of 1983 he was the department head in the State University of New York College Cortland in New York, United States. He was the department head only for two years. In 1984 Donald became a professor in the State University of New York College in Cortland, New York, United States. In 1990 Donald Wright was a distinguished Teaching Professor of History, in the State University of New York College.
In 1994 Wright was a lead scholar in Alabama Humanities Foundation Institute.
(What are the origins of slavery and race-based prejudice ...)
1990(The Only Prayer I'll Ever Pray: Let My People Go is a sti...)
2009(Niumi, a small, little-known territory located on the ban...)
1997(The early history of Niumi: Settlement and Foundation of ...)
1977(The American History Series: African Americans in the Ear...)
1993(Oral Traditions from the Gambia, Vol. 1: Mandinka Griots ...)
1979
Quotations:
“My motivation for writing has changed over time. At first, I wanted to make a quiet contribution to the body of scholarship helping us understand pre-colonial African history. Then, when I recognized how I’d failed to do what I intended with evidence from African oral data, I wanted to inform the history profession and others of the perils of expecting more from oral traditions than they can yield in terms of evidence for reconstructing the African past. Once I’d pretty much demolished my own early work on pre-colonial African history, I wanted to meet a need I perceived in American students to understand the early parts of African American history—the African background, the Atlantic slave trade, and the early years of slavery in this country. As ever, my intention was to write about these things (here largely synthesizing the work of others) clearly and concisely."
“My writing process is fitful. Persistence is the key. I can go for days without getting a lot down on paper. I convince myself that these are important days of thinking and ordering information, though sometimes they are days when I bake a pretty good loaf of bread and have long, cathartic runs. Then I might write thirty pages in four days. I now can have confidence the fat days are coming when the lean days are upon me. I think best during and immedi¬ately following exercise, but writing is hard work for me. It takes long hours of thinking and fussing. My meager advice: keep the body in the chair for as long as you can, avoiding temptations to get up to seek more information, to refill the coffee cup, to call for that long-delayed appointment for root-canal surgery."
“My subjects are African and African American history. What inspires me to write about these things are the human beings whose lives have been more difficult, and often shorter, than others living at the same time. I want to understand why good people lead hard lives. Also, I like to make simple sense out of complex ideas—and I like writing. I consider it the highest form of thinking. Maybe even more, I like having written.”
Donald Wright is a member of many organizations and associations, such as - African Studies Association, American Historical Association, World History Association, Manding Studies Association.
Donald Wright was married to Olwen Twyman on June 29 in 1969 and divorced on April 4, 1987. Also Donald was married to Marilou Briggs on September 15, 1990. She died on July 10, 1997. They had two children - John Allen and Benjamin Charles.