Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright’s incendiary comments have cost him an honorary doctorate from Northwestern University.
The former pastor of presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has come under fire since video clips of him saying “God damn America” and referring to the country as “the United States of KKKA” surfaced on the internet.
In recent days, Obama has made several attempts to convince the public that he has cut all ties with Wright.
“In light of the controversy surrounding statements made by you that have recently been publicized, the celebratory character of Northwestern’s commencement would be affected by our conferring of this honorary degree. Thus I am withdrawing the offer of an honorary degreeà,” said Northwestern president Henry Bienen.
Wright says that the real reason is that Bienen thinks that “[Wright] wasn’t patriotic enough” û a statement that Northwestern officials refute.
Wright, the former senior minister of Trinity United Church of Christ, would have received an honorary Doctorate of Sacred Theology at Northwestern’s commencement in June. (AP)
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