What is an Uppity Negro? Historically, it is a black person who has been reprimanded or persecuted for voicing his dissatisfaction with or rejection of the sub-standard treatment of himself or other black people.
The term was very popular among slave masters who often used the term to refer to blacks that were rebellious or, in other words, blacks who required and demanded respect, fair treatment and regard.
In his day, Frederick Douglass was considered to be an "Uppity Negro" because he never tried to assimilate to the white way of life. Douglass never begged or asked for respect, he demanded it.
More than a century later, 34-year-old entrepreneur Andrea Carter is also demanding respect through her business venture named Uppity Negro. Carter was born in Savannah, Ga. and currently lives in the D.C. area. Earlier this year while working at a local coffee shop, many white customers accused her of having a nasty attitude. After numerous attempts to explain to the establishment that she was not making any concessions to treat anyone any better than others, she was fired.
"I was sick and tired of the dysfunction which was normal status quo behavior and the assumed responsibility that I had to further deal with the normal craziness of race as my property," Carter said. "I held ownership and had to pay taxes on it because I breathed with my black skin when I saw that whites got off free of charge, with no responsibilities, free of claim, with a choice to not deal with race and assume I had an attitude problem."
Extremely frustrated, Carter said she wrote the words "Uppity Negro" on a t-shirt to show white people that she knew how they viewed her. What started out as a project out of frustration has branched off into a small business, selling not only t-shirts but also mugs, totes and sweatshirts. Prices range between $10 and $20.
However, Carter stresses she is not the typical entrepreneur.
"I am not a business person nor do I want to be. I am not trying to start a new fashion line. This is much more than a fashion statement. It is a movement," Carter said.
Carter was on campus last week at the Blackburn Center to promote her message and sell her products. Students such as junior English major Justin Johnson have shown support for her work.
"I definitely support Carter in her efforts to open the minds of black people in America. She is truly about starting a movement and not trying to profit off of her idea," Johnson said. "After talking to her for about an hour she gave me a t-shirt free of charge because she realized that we shared a common understanding about the way black people are viewed in 'white America.'"
Niama Sandy, a freshman print journalism major from Brooklyn, N.Y., also believes that Carter is making positive steps in the right direction. "Although the term 'Uppity Negro' has been highly scrutinized as a term of debasement, the way Carter uses it is a source of empowerment for the black community," Sandy said.
However, students like Duran Brown, a junior advertising major from Atlanta, Ga., disagree with the name. "I do not think the name is positive. In many ways the word "uppity" carries a negative connotation. Personally I wouldn't walk around with the words "Uppity Negro" written on a t-shirt," Brown said.
While her shirts have gained the attention of many people including comedian Dave Chappelle, Carter said it has been hard for her to keep going. She recently had to be checked in to Howard University Hospital for ulcers that developed due to the stress that she is under.
Carter admits that while she is making some money from sales, she is not trying to become rich. "Money would not make me happy. Seeing a change, that's what I want," Carter said. She believes that black people are generally afraid to stand up and say exactly what they feel and point out the injustices they face on a daily basis.
"I see white America like a load of white t-shirts in the wash. I want to be the one red t-shirt that messes it all up," Carter said. She strongly believes that black people need to start loving themselves and take a stand. "Liberation doesn't have to be with an afro and a fist. It can be anything as long as it starts in the heart."
For more information visit uppitynegro.com.
