I’d like to welcome you to the launch of my first official blog.  It originally was launched on October 15, 2007, but I’m not posting this until the next day.  I’m attaining my Masters of Divinity and Masters of Arts in Church Music at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia.  I am also entertaining the idea of pursuing Doctoral work in the field of practical theology, namely homiletics (which severely limits my options of course).

I’d like to thank two people for the idea of the Uppity Negro Network.  The first person is my friend and roommate at ITC, B. Michael Honor (www.souljonz.wordpress.com).  It is he who gave me the idea to in fact, start a blog.  Those who know me on Facebook know that in fact I have a lot of ideas and that I am opinionated.  And I discovered that my opinions were birthed out of my “uppity Negro” upbringing.  Now, this is somewhat borrowed from the Uppity Negro movement that swept across black college and university campuses during the early 2000’s.  I consider myself an “uppity Negro” based on what my friend John Meade told me—here’s the short story.

When he discovered that I went to the church Rev. Jeremiah Wright pastored for the last 35 years at the time, he just commented and said how much he appreciated his ministry.  Now, I officially embraced this phrase because when he discovered that I began to attend Ebenezer Baptist Church here in Atlanta he busted out laughing at say “that’s so ‘uppity Negro’ of you, that you go from one ‘uppity Negro’ church to the other.” So, hence the Uppity Negro Network was born; a place where I am learning to embrace my “uppity Negro” or rather my inner middle classness and not be apologetic for my worldview which some might interpret as black elistist.  This is a place, however, to share ideas from all walks of life; from those who may consider themselves “uppity Negroes” and those who don’t.  Usually my blogs will have some cultural critique and naturally something that has some religious overtone or direct religious nature.

So, I love to hear those comments and opinions.

Grace, peace and luv, JLL