Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Psychopathic Racial Personality and Other Essays

Rate this book
Bobby Wright forcefully emphasizes the need for the development of a . . . Black social theory. This is a very difficult assignment and cannot be accomplished by . . . brainwashed Black intellectuals who are awestruck by European theory and theorists . . . Bobby Wright's concepts of "the psychopathic racial personality" and "mentacide" [are] major contributions to such a theory.

Jacob Carruthers, Professor
Northeastern Illinois University
Center for Inner City Studies

A major contribution to the ongoing search for definitions and ideas that speak directly to the African-American experience.

Haki R. Madhubuti, Author
"Black Men: Obsolete, Single, Dangerous?"

50 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

12 people are currently reading
377 people want to read

About the author

Bobby E. Wright

2 books9 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
50 (56%)
4 stars
24 (26%)
3 stars
10 (11%)
2 stars
3 (3%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Michael Strode.
55 reviews28 followers
March 4, 2012
"One of the most serious problems, germane only to Black people and our independent institutions, is our inability to support and reinforce the ideals, goals and objectives of the institutions. The White race is not faced with this problem since it has long recognized that institutions protect and sustain the appropriate direction for the destiny of its people."

According to Dr. Bobby Wright, a destructive Black pathology is being cultivated with the deliberate intent to push Black people towards the brink of extinction. His plan is to arm you with the critical analysis necessary in order to engage this psychological narrative and work strategically to counteract it. There is a wretched and brutal truth to his argument which makes it impressively convincing even when one would wish to consider the situation cannot be so dire as outlined here. In this stark and unflinching framework, Wright injects the psychopathic racial personality and bolsters the acute necessity for a Black social theory, multimodal education for Black children and the building of Black institutions where the high ideals nurtured in the classroom can be placed into practical service.

The confluence of forces found throughout this relatively short text made it difficult to parse uninterruptedly without pausing within each chapter for deeper reflection. Wright broaches many an uncomfortable conversation about the American racial identity and interaction between groups while resolving his central thesis of the essential nature of developing the Black social theory which would guide the work of collective Black institutions. Even behind the veil of my own Black social liberal experience, it is near impossible to discern how the lines are drawn which distinguish where the perceivable context of American racism ends and the global infrastructure of white supremacy begins for Black people find their personhood under assault mentally, physically and socially at every corner of the diaspora. In the analysis offered by Wright, this distinction does not matter for survival and liberation are the only relevant metrics of success.

This is no mere exercise in political shock doctrine however. Wright infuses his understanding of culturally assisted suicide and self destructive behavior with an outlook towards solutions which would root these traits out of members of the next generation even moving to offer his own research and assistance without charge to any Black institution that should request them. In this sense, the essays of Dr. Wright are a detailed example of his purposed devotion to the cause of Black liberation which should be measurable beyond our individual ability to maintain a livelihood. Progress is determined by our collective ability to do both at the same time without failing to maximize our effort in either objective.

Ideals without pathways to implementation are comparable to a seed in the wind. It may take root or it may get eaten. In either case, the wind will decide and you will have no choice in the matter. Dr. Wright has offered an ideological treatise in the tradition of Woodson's "The Miseducation of the Negro" and DuBois' "The Souls of Black of Black Folks" which should remind us that there is little to be gained from depending upon the slight alteration of the social and political mechanics of a system which derives its power from maintaining complacency in the powerless. If we truly seek change, it is to be discovered by peering beyond the political tools which have been afforded us to act and developing independent auspices where we can see our changes actualize in a more immediate and measurable manner. If we choose assimilation before independence, our current political climate has shown us clearly that any changes we succeed in obtaining hang perilously on the precipice of being reversed by future sentiments.
Profile Image for Ty G.
16 reviews10 followers
August 3, 2013
In the context of white supremacy thinking in abstract if it is one’s ability to think in abstract to be able to ultimately control experiments divine abstract math thought pattern, plan for a future you must ask yourself. 

What is a future under oppression compared to a bright white future what does it mean to think in abstract under white privilege vs what does it mean to insure a future under white supremacy in literal reality and in abstract.

Without being grounded within the construct of universal logic to make every decision under duress to be subjugated to worry and fear abnormally in any given time and place would change the prime directive of any group of people.

Ability to think in the abstract. And to be able to calculate in the abstract. So you might say in the language of some tribal Africans there is no concept of linear time abstract math obligation or precision. I would say it is more than possible these things that you require an answer to form a absolute for what may come natural in hue-mens.

Instinct willed from father to son as a necessity. I could not give you an example of something that comes natural but it is to be said the ability to undermind white privilege is to think in the absence of the abstract. To look right in the face of what is directly effecting you

Abstract thinking is the ability to lie  deceive and level the playing field by practicing white supremacy in all nine people activities in the contacts of which Africans exist. And to add there is no true experiment as long as the experimenter can effect the experiment.

Since the subjugation of African people life not withholding destructive imitated ideals of the meaning of life greatly enhanced by the practice of coture domination. I believe the lack of sound logical and abstract thinking. Set a course to confuse and divide, African people, to preach individualism.

Not knowing white supremacy and the people who follow it are your bitter enemies. Abstract thinking is required to acknowledge their thought process of deception.The Rhythm of life has been hijacked in African people around the world due to the system of world dominating religion of white supremacy.

And the abstract ideal that they can insure their abstract future by the destruction or subjugation of African people.
Profile Image for DuVay Knox.
Author 12 books69 followers
May 8, 2024
"Blacks kill blacks because they have NEVER been trained to kill whites, therefore it is outside their experience."

It's statements like these throughout this book that burn in your mind and leave an indelible impression of the devestation of racism/white supremacy. Dr Wright wrote a magnum opus in 40 pages. I would go so far as to say that THIS book and most of the joints written by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad are all U need to understand the White attitude towards black people. I have given countless numbers of this book away as gifts, birthday presents, penitentiary reading material and more.
Profile Image for Lori.
4 reviews5 followers
April 27, 2012
Three stars not because of the quality of the book, but because it depressed me. Truth hurts.
1 review
September 26, 2021
Reaching, self-referencing, poorly thought out and, worst of all, incredibly racist.

That's about it.
Profile Image for James Manuel.
1 review1 follower
September 8, 2013
Very good information, clinical, scientific and absolutely eye opening.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.