Can I get a Hookup?

If you have ever had a job in your life, you have heard these very words. Whether it was at the beautyshop, barbershop, mall, auto shop, fastfood restaurant, bank, school, or the club. The hookup is just as synonymous to Memphis as barbeque is.

For those who know me (Not those who know of me), they can confirm that I rarely, if ever, ask for special treatment. But I have been involved with entertainment events that gave preferential treatment to customers who paid more for it. So is it the same as giving lavish gifts to politicians that vote certain ways on legislation?

I would be remissed if I did not address at least one of the rebuttals to the bribery that exist not only in Memphis but also nationally and globally. (Sorry, I meant lobbying:-) A select group of people that vividly remember the times of Boss Crump and other powerful politicians sometimes say,"Well, white folks been doing it for so long, bout time we can take advantage of the situation". Now be very careful with this mindset because there are kids out there that will be waiting on your explaination about when is it okay to be dishonest or not.

Within the past year, the Commercial Appeal has done MANY articles on political corruption and bribery. In my first draft of this post, I really wanted to call out specific individuals but I will refrain from doing so because the media has done a great job of exposing them.

To the government officials, why should you receive extra compensation for what should already be doing and to the public, when are you going to put a stop to the misrepresentation by politicians?

In the words of a voice from the Spike Lee joint, Do the Right Thing, WAKE UP! (This means YOU!)

"That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong." William J. H. Boetcker