Bobby E. Wright facts for kids

Bobby Eugene Wright (born March 1, 1934, in Hobson City, Alabama – died April 6, 1982, in Chicago) was an American clinical psychologist. This means he was a professional who helped people with their thoughts and feelings. He was also a scholar, an educator, and someone who worked to make positive changes in society.

He earned his first degree in Education from Chicago State University. Later, he got his master's degree in Counseling from the same university. In 1972, he completed his PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Chicago. At the time of his death, he was chosen to be the next president of the Association of Black Psychologists.

In the mid-1960s, Bobby Wright worked in Chicago schools. He was a "truant officer," helping students who missed school. He also successfully challenged unfair hiring rules for Black teachers. His work helped set the stage for Harold Washington to become Chicago's first African-American mayor in 1983.

Two of his important writings are The Psychopathic Racial Personality (1974) and Mentacide: The Ultimate Threat to Black Survival (1979). These works were very influential.

Bobby Wright believed it was important to understand how racism affects people's minds. He wanted people of African descent to define themselves. He also studied the psychology of White supremacy. He worked to create ideas and groups that could improve mental health and change politics.

The Wright Social-Political Model

Bobby Wright developed a way of thinking called the social-political model. This model looked at how society and politics affect people's mental health. He believed that some people of African descent faced deep sadness. He argued that this sadness was often linked to living under systems of White supremacy.

His model suggested that psychological problems could come from these larger social issues. It was a way to understand why some people struggled with their mental well-being. Even though he didn't write a lot about it, his ideas are still used today. They help researchers and mental health workers understand the experiences of Africans living in the United States.

Achievements and Contributions

Bobby Wright was part of a group called the 'radical school' of Black psychology. These psychologists wanted to create their own ideas about mental health. They did not just follow the ideas from European thinkers. Instead, they developed new ways of thinking that were independent and focused on the experiences of Black people.

He also wrote a book called The Black Child: A Destiny in Jeopardy. This book explored the challenges faced by Black children.

Bobby Wright also played a role in political discussions about the continent of Africa. He supported Pan-Africanism, which is the idea of unity among all people of African descent.

In his honor, a mental health center in Chicago was renamed the Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Mental Health Centre. This shows how much his work was valued.