Monday's Instagram post by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has reverberated throughout Shreveport negatively—almost as if the Department of War had announced that Barksdale Air Force Base was closing 1 August.
Goodness, all this fuss is about an individual who has yet to hire a full-time local employee, albeit he has spent big bucks on real estate.
Jackson has also pulled permits for three roof repairs on buildings he purchased in downtown Shreveport and reportedly made improvements to ameliorate future flooding at G-Unit Studios.
Jackson may be bigger than life, but Shreveport has many, many employers that unlike him have a work force of over 50 who plow large payrolls into the local economy.
At the Shreveport City Council meeting Mayor Tom Arceneaux stated he had reached out to 50 Cent's representatives, to no avail. Other media outlets have also struck out on getting clarification on this post:
“There are people in Shreveport that just don’t want things to get better. I only make deals that make sense. I’m gonna have to pull back on the Red River. Peace.”
The post may have been referring to his interest in leasing spaces and/or managing the Red River Entertainment District, or it could have referred to the entire city.
To say the least the city and the Arceneaux administration have bent over backwards to accommodate virtually every wish and desire of 50 and have all but adorned him as King of Shreveport.
Jackson usually criticizes anyone who does not put him on a publicity pedestal, including Shreveport councilman Alan Jackson and yours truly. Thus, a sharp attack is expected when an explanation of the Instragram is what is needed.
This cryptic communication does not send a good message to the citizens of Shreveport and for that matter LED officials who control reimbursement funds to Jackson.
The Instagram post may be the preferred communication vehicle for 50, but it certainly does not play well in Shreveport where he says, “all roads lead to Shreveport.”
By the time this copy is read, hopefully King 50 will have issue a definitive message FIRST to Mayor Arcneneaux and then a press release to the local media.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.