Beware of Memphis
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3/8/2010
The worst mistake I have made in my 27 years was leaving Knoxville, Tennessee after graduating and moving to Memphis. I expected a smaller but vibrant version of Atlanta, but I was sadly mistaken. I can't blame anybody for my choosing Memphis over cities like Charlotte, Atlanta and Nashville. However, the lack of leadership in the city is quite shameful and absolutely deplorable. Now, even the nice places like Cordova's Wolfchase area is being run down.
In moving to Memphis in 2006, I found a terrible job market, a ridiculous crime rate, and a lot of rude characters. The leadership of the city used divisive and racially charged politics to gain and hold on to power. Former
mayor Willie Herenton should have been booted at least 10 years ago, yet he received unconditional support from people blinded by his "gift of gab". Some of his comments after his election in the late 2000's would have been condemned in any other major metropolitan: "Where were the white people when I was being criticized? White people didn't get me elected." I am a black man, and I am offended by that statement. I am deeply saddened that so many good people have to endure such poor leadership. Recently elected Mayor A.C. Wharton needs to answer this one question before Memphis sinks to the murky perils of Detroit and New Orleans: what is Memphis going to be? Will it be a crime ridden cesspool of society? Or will it be a vibrant Mecca of opportunity that I thought it was before I moved to Memphis in 2006?
I have been fortunate enough to get a promotion at my job and move to a different city in 2009. I would recommend to anybody who has the opportunity to leave, do your research and make the move. To those out there who are thinking about coming to Memphis, please research the job market and crime rate and weigh your options. I believe that you will find better opportunities out there: Nashville, Little Rock, Jackson, MS, Dallas. To those who have no other choice: May God Be With You.
I am not criticizing the people of Memphis. They are good people. I am criticizing the leadership of the city. The city has a ton of potential, but the leadership can't harness that potential.
Mo | Pine Bluff, AR