Welcome to The Black 9! It’s supposed to be a play on the golf term “the back nine” (referring to the last 9 holes on a course), but I don’t play golf, and if you didn’t catch the reference, you’ll get no judgment from me. If you’ve made it this far into my first post, thank you. You could be anywhere else in the world right now, reading a million other newsletters or books or not reading at all, but you’re here, and I appreciate that.1 So what’s this all about?
Why A Newsletter?
I don’t have any profound reasons for starting a substack newsletter. I’m an aspiring writer. I write sermons for a living. I have a growing interest in writing fiction. I’ve published articles on various outlets about Christianity, spirituality, race, and culture. You can read most of them here, here, and here. Overall, this is a space where I hope to share my thoughts and opinions on these same topics and more…and continue to develop as a writer. So thanks for coming along for the journey.
What’s Behind The Name?
The first question I asked as I kept entering my automated information into the “sign up” boxes was “Why am I even creating a newsletter?” Followed by, “Will anyone even read this?” “Why should anyone care what I think?” “What will I write about?” These are just a few of the budding questions that grow from the branches of being an Enneagram 9.
That’s me, or at least it’s part of who I am. Now, before you write me off as another one of those Enneagram/personality test people, let me just say I’ve found the Enneagram to be a very helpful resource when it comes to putting words to many of the internal and external actions and reactions, feelings, and intentions that I find within myself. I don’t define myself by it - blah blah blah; it’s not an “idol” - blah blah blah, and neither is it an excuse for me to justify my flaws and never change.
It’s actually been a helpful tool that’s led me to do things like this - creating a newsletter, and putting my voice out there. That’s part of the 9’s struggle. I’m good at listening to everyone else’s point of view (although I might not always agree) but at times I withold mine, because more than anything, I wanna keep the peace.
So this is an exercise in me sharing my perspectives, right or wrong, just however I’m feeling at the time.2
What Will I Write About?
This space isn’t about being an Enneagram 9, but my hope for this space is to be able to share my perspectives on a few topics that I enjoy and feel passionate about. One of those topics is racism and racial justice in this country. I also have other interests that I want to include here as well. I enjoy writing fiction and I love good stories, especially when they’re playing consecutively on a screen while it’s raining on a Saturday. For these, I offer my skills as a developing writer and my commentary.
How Often Will I Post?
My life is busy like yours, but my hope is to post an article weekly at a minimum. In my mind, I have what’s called Flash Fiction Fridays but let’s just start off with a flash fiction story on the first Friday of the month. Anything more than this and I’ll be very proud of myself.
So that’s what this newsletter is for. I’m a BlackEnneagram9PreacherWriter and not always in that order. I hope you subscribe. Actually, you should subscribe. Ah yes, spoken like an Enneagram 3.
Tell your people too…
This is a Jay-Z lyric reference. FYI. I’ll probably do this again at some point (sorrynotsorry)
Ibid.,
Great start Ray and keep it real but real for the truth of the Lord and not man. Proud of you man👍🏿🙏❤️😇