Can I get a hook up?

 

In a former life, I used to work in the world of retail at Dillard's department store.  Sometimes when I would visit my family; they would always tell me "I'm coming into Dillard's, so you can hook me up with your employee discount."  I have also benefited from getting hooked up, so to say.  I'm at a point in my career where I see former students working and making a way for themselves just as I am.  Let's see, there was Alicia, who always hooked me up with free tickets to the movies whenever she was working.  Then there was Shamel, who would always hook me up with a good old burrito from one of my favorite Mexican restaurants.  In the black community, the hook up is about as common place as BET, bling-bling, and good soul food.   Urban dictionary.com defines hook up as "a received good or service as a favor."

Cynthia Marshall, President of AT&T North Carolina was the commencement oratrix at the Saint Mary's School graduation a few weeks back.  I admire Ms. Marshall very much.  She's an overcomer and survivor of stage III colon cancer.  Ms. Marshall had the graduates stand up and link arms.  She told them that she was going to teach them about H.A.S.U., and that what they were doing was a symbolic representation of the H.A.S.U.,  which stands for "Hook A Sistah Up."  She further told the graduates that as they were about to leave Saint Mary's, that it is their responsibility to "Hook each other up,"  hold each other accountable in love and in the spirit of their alma mater.

I teach at a girls school, so I quickly turned H.A.S.U. into "H.A.B.U." for "Hook A Brutha Up!"  Let's face it, I need a hook up blessing from time to time.  Regardless of whether you're male or female, there will always be times when we have the opportunity to "Hook up" our fellow companion with an opportunity, a word of encouragement, joy for the journey, the gift of our presence or to reach down and pull them up.  Just as we will be called to "hook up" our brothers and sisters, remember that at times we will be blessed with the "hook up."  Be open and receptive to the H.A.S.U. and H.A.B.U. moments around you.  As you go about your day today, think about how you might be able to hook a brother or a sister up.  Remember that in life you give what you get. 

Peace,
Karsten