Category Archives: Florida

Mar23

Operation: Send Red to the WNBA Combine

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Southern Laydee

Antonia “RED” Bennett

**This image does not belong to this site. This image was captured from Google.**

WHO IS RED?

Antonia “RED” Bennett is a senior at Florida A&M University hailing from Lakeland, FL. Red has been recently selected to participate in the 2012 WNBA Combine which will be held in Denver, CO in one week, March 30 – April 1, 2012.

ON THE COURT

Red, a forward averages 18 points a game, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. She is the 2012 MEAC Player of the Year. She was selected as a part of the first team all conference, MEAC tournament team, and a nominee for the Pan-American game team captain just to name a few of her most recent accomplishments.

OFF THE COURT

Red is a 22 year old criminal justice major who has led the Lady Rattlers not just with her statistical accomplishments on the court but also by being success in the classroom. Red regularly mentors youth through a juvenile justice program in Tallahassee. She has also worked in numerous summer camps for youth.

Due to NCAA rules and regulations, FAMU is unable to assist with any expenses which amount to about $1800. The expenses include but are not limited to (flight, hotel, travel, food, etc.) Red has been able to raise about $700 thus far, but time is ticking.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

Your financial support, resources, contacts, etc.) will help this dynamic young lady fulfill her life long dream of playing professional basketball. So here’s what I need you to do… Please make a donation to help this young lady get to Denver and then ask your friends to do so as well. My goal is to see her have that $1800 by the time North Carolina takes to the court on Sunday night (Yea I’m a Tarheel).

As the first women’s basketball player from FAMU to be selected to participate in this event, with your help she will be able to represent the RATTLER NATION and bring exposure to HBCU women’s basketball programs.

Her mother, Iris Hinson has created a PayPal account to help get her babygirl to Denver…. We hope you will send a donation.

You can call Karen Riggien at 850-599-3264 or …

Click here to donate: https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=7VCyzfbfRou90I1cWvcZ6DR41LXi8tulJTVmUfDKYq1jrH61w9CA9bJ-3v8&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8dcbcd55a50598f04d927139403713ca13

Mar19

Letter from Sanford City Manager regarding Trayvon Martin

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Southern Laydee

Letter from Sanford City Manager regarding Trayvon Martin

Sanford’s City Manager addresses the tragic murder of Trayvon Martin and more

Fellow Citizens:

There has been a lot of media attention to the recent incident where George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin. This is indeed a tragic situation and has caused a flood of questions and strong emotions from within our community, the region and nation. On behalf of the employees of the City of Sanford, Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the family and friends of Trayvon Martin. As a father, I can only image the pain Trayvon’s family must be going though.

In an effort to continue to be as responsive as possible to the public seeking information on the incident, I have asked Chief Lee to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this matter. Below are his responses. Please understand that since this is still an ongoing investigation, the Police Department is limited in what information it can publicly release.

The City of Sanford is committed to insuring that justice is served and, therefore, the City of Sanford has contacted the United States Attorney General’s Office for assistance in this matter.

Why was George Zimmerman not arrested the night of the shooting?

When the Sanford Police Department arrived at the scene of the incident, Mr. Zimmerman provided a statement claiming he acted in self defense which at the time was supported by physical evidence and testimony. By Florida Statute, law enforcement was PROHIBITED from making an arrest based on the facts and circumstances they had at the time. Additionally, when any police officer makes an arrest for any reason, the officer MUST swear and affirm that he/she is making the arrest in good faith and with probable cause. If the arrest is done maliciously and in bad faith, the officer and the City may be held liable.

According to Florida Statute 776.032 :

776.032 Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for justifiable use of force.—
(1) A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s. 776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14), who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant.

(2) A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force as described in subsection (1), but the agency may not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used was unlawful.

The men and women of the Sanford Police Department extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Martin family. This is indeed a tragic situation. The death of anyone due to violence, especially a 17 year old young man, is morally appalling. As this incident has generated a lot of media attention, we wanted to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Why the 911 tapes are not yet released?

There are exemptions to the public records laws for active criminal intelligence and for ongoing investigations. In this instance, the 911 calls made by neighbors in the subdivision, and the non- emergency call made by Mr. Zimmerman are all key to the investigation by Sanford Police Department. In consultation with the Office of the State Attorney, the Sanford police department has decided not to release the audio recordings of the 911 calls due to the ongoing investigation. Many times, specific information is contained in those recordings which is vital to the integrity of the investigation. Should it be revealed, the information may compromise the integrity of the investigation prior to its completion.

Why did Mr. Zimmerman have a firearm in his possession while acting in the role of a neighborhood watch member?
Mr. Zimmerman holds a concealed weapon permit issued from the State of Florida. He is authorized to carry the weapon in a concealed manner wherever Florida Statute dictates. Neighborhood Watch programs are designed for members of a neighborhood to be “eyes and ears” for police and to watch out for their neighbors. They are not members of the Police Department nor are they vigilantes. Training provided by law enforcement agencies to Neighborhood Watch organizations stresses non-contact surveillance of suspicious situations and notifying police of those situations so that law enforcement can respond and take control of the situation.

Mr. Zimmerman was not acting outside the legal boundaries of Florida Statute by carrying his weapon when this incident occurred. He was in fact on a personal errand in his vehicle when he observed Mr. Martin in the community and called the Sanford Police Department.

If Zimmerman was told not to continue to follow Trayvon, can that be considered in this investigation?
Yes it will; however, the telecommunications call taker asked Zimmerman “are you following him”. Zimmerman replied, “yes”. The call taker stated “you don’t need to do that”. The call taker’s suggestion is not a lawful order that Mr. Zimmerman would be required to follow. Zimmerman’s statement was that he had lost sight of Trayvon and was returning to his truck to meet the police officer when he says he was attacked by Trayvon.

Why was George Zimmerman labeled as “squeaky clean” when in fact he has a prior arrest history?
In one of the initial meetings with the father of the victim the investigator related to him the account that Mr. Zimmerman provided of the incident. At that time the investigator said that Mr. Zimmerman portrayed himself to be “squeaky clean”. We are aware of the background information regarding both individuals involved in this event. We believe Mr. Martin may have misconstrued this information.

What about media reenactments of the shooting incident?

Any media reenactments of the shooting incident are purely speculation. To date the Sanford Police Department has not released any rendition of the events of the evening to anyone other than the Office of the State Attorney. The renditions we have seen are not consistent with the evidence in this case.

The Sanford Police Department has conducted a complete and fair investigation of this incident. We have provided the results of our investigation to the Office of the State Attorney for their review and consideration for possible criminal prosecution.

Although the Police Department is the target of the troubling questions, let me assure you we too feel the pain of this senseless tragedy that has dramatically affected our community. Therefore, as we move forward and strive to answer the questions that that are a point of controversy in the community, we ask for your patience, understanding and assistance in getting the correct information to the community.

Thank you,

Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr., ICMA-CM City Manager

Mar19

Department of Justice & FBI now involved in the TRAYVON MARTIN case

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Southern Laydee

Department of Justice & FBI now involved in the TRAYVON MARTIN case

OFFICIAL DOJ STATEMENT IN THE TRAYVON MARTIN CASE: “The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the FBI opened an investigation into the facts and circumstances of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The department will conduct a thorough and independent review of all of the evidence and take appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigation. The department also is providing assistance to and cooperating with the state officials in their investigation into the incident. With all federal civil rights crimes, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person acted intentionally and with the specific intent to do something which the law forbids – the highest level of intent in criminal law. Negligence, recklessness, mistakes and accidents are not prosecutable under the federal criminal civil rights laws. The Community Relations Service will be in Sanford, Fla., this week to meet with civil rights leaders, community leaders, and local law enforcement to address tension in the community.”

Mar16

Trayvon Martin’s Last Cry…

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Southern Laydee

Trayvon Martin’s Last Cry…

The 911 tapes have been released. There’s nothing I can write to describe, explain or express the sadness and agony that stirs inside me as I listen to this child and his last cry…

Listen here:The sound no parent should ever have to hear

Mar13

Trayvon Martin

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Southern Laydee

Trayvon Martin

Every neighborhood has that one nosey neighbor. In my childhood neighborhood in Central Florida we called her “nosey Rosie”; nosey because she was always in everyone’s business and Rosie because that was her name. She’d call your mom, your next door neighbor and maybe the laws (southern for police), but Nosey Rosie would never lay her hands or an extension there of on a child…

But that was 25 years ago… Fast forward to Feb. 2012 in another Central Florida neighborhood about 45 min northeast of my home and there’s another nosey neighbor. This guy is the “self appointed captain” of the neighborhood watch. At age 26, George Zimmerman is far from being Nosey Rosie which became very clear on Feb. 26, 2012 when he fatally shot 17 year old Trayvon Martin.

According to other published reports, Zimmerman called 911 reporting a suspicious person (Martin). The dispatcher reportedly instructed Zimmerman to not follow the suspicious person, and informed him that an officer was en route. Zimmerman ignored the dispatcher, following Martin anyway while armed with his 9mm pistol.

Skittles & Ice Tea

Sometime between that 911 call and the arrival of Sanford PD, Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon in his chest. When officers arrived they discovered Trayvon’s lifeless body face down, unarmed with only a bag of skittles and a can of ice tea in his pockets.

Zimmerman claimed self defense and was released without any criminal charges.

The unreleased 911 Tapes

Attorney Benjamin Crump of the Tallahassee powerhouse firm Parks & Crump has been retained to represent the Martin family. Crump has filed a lawsuit for the release of the 911 tapes.

According to Crump, people with access to the tapes have states that Zimmerman made a comment about Martins race during the call and said he had no intentions of letting the youth get away because, “they always get away.”

Not so Squeaky Clean Record

Initially Sanford PD told the Martin family that the shooting was in self defense and that the shooter, Zimmerman had a “squeaky clean” record. Public records show that Zimmerman has been arrested before and was charged with resisting arrest and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Complaints on Zimmerman

Neighbors of the Retreat at Twin Lakes community had filed complaints about his over zealous tabs aggressive tactics. The self appointed neighborhood watch captain remains free.

Developing Story

Although this tragedy took place weeks ago, this story is still developing. As we await the release of the 911 tapes and the State Attorney’s Office decision regarding criminal charges, I implore you to actively utilize Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to keep the lights an attention on this case.

Also, please join the Facebook group, “Justice for Trayvon” to show your support.

***This post was written for this website and for Alumni Roundup. Feel free to post this link to your social media pages. As the story develops, the information here will be updated.

Dec20

Has Governor Scott exceeded his authority… Crisis at FAMU

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Southern Laydee

Has Governor Scott exceeded his authority… Crisis at FAMU

Governor Rick Scott isn’t out of the “scope of his authority” as he is the Governor and FAMU is a state entity, however many see his actions against President Ammons as a reflection of his over zealous reaction to a very tragic event and as an attempt to begin what many FAMU supporters and alumni have feared for generations… “The State of Florida is trying to take OUR FAMU away from us and merge it with FSU.”
Ask Yourself, Should President Ammons step down
We had no problem supporting Penn State firing everybody when news broke, but because it is one of our own institutions we now are feeling some kinda way. One thing that I learned and heard repeatedly in law school was…”The Law Has No Feelings” and here we must keep our feelings in control and focus on the relevant facts.

What About Robert Champion
The implications behind this tragedy are greater than what many of us want to accept or even wanting to imagine, however at the end of the day a Georgia family buried their son who loved his FAMU Marching 100 and who died following its biggest tradition and most anticipated annual performance… THE CLASSIC! Sadly though, there was nothing celebratory nor remotely exciting about how Robert Champion’s life ended, and the only thing “CLASSIC” about it is, that it fits the definition of homicide!

What’s Next for FAMU

There are so many things happening in this story, this Crisis at FAMU. The murder, the possible firing/forced resignation of the beloved University President and most feared… will the “whispers” come true… Will this tragedy lead certain powers to move towards closing FAMU as we know it and have loved it for generations, or will it trigger FAMU supporters and alumnus to band together to for one, to work towards preventing there ever being another Marching 100 murder and two, to keep FAMU open as it is one of the greatest institutions of higher education in this nation and it ain’t because of the band… The band is a PLUS!

Public Relations

There is so much that can be gleaned from this tragedy. So many lessons can be prevented from having to be learned if other institutions begin to implement and enforce expectations of greatness. FAMU needs to hire the best public relations team they can put together so that the very tarnished image of the school can be restored. Although this won’t be an overnight process, it needs to begin very soon.

Perhaps, firing Ammons isn’t the answer however he needs to stay in front of this. Perhaps he needs to sit down in front of America and be the voice of why FAMU is still a great institution and why the school and community must learn from this tragedy… If Oprah, Dr. Phil, Dateline or 20/20 won’t interview him exclusively as a special presentation, I know a few bloggers who will!

Reporting live from my bed… I AM “The Southern Socialite” and I’m out… Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays, be blessed and always be a blessing too!!

Jan3

Gone Too Soon… RIP Radiah

Posted on January 3, 2011 by Southern Laydee

Gone Too Soon… RIP Radiah

More often than not, when lives are taken the victim is rarely ever the main name heard. The murderer seems to always get the attention. It’s almost as if the life taken didn’t matter to those doing the reporting. I guess it must be natural or has become a natural habit or something to focus on the cause and not the effect. I don’t know… Whatever the case may be as to why the focus on the deceased is never as vividly covered as that of the marauder, tonight that changes. Tonight we remember the victim, Radiah Craft-Enzor.

Hearing her name sort of nudged at my memory. Seeing her picture made me remember. Radiah was my neighbor for years when I was a really little girl. She and her brother always took care of me when they would see me through the years. She had a beautiful smile and as I far as I can remember a beautiful sweet spirit.

We hear of lives ending daily. Some by diseases, others by accident. However to me the toughest to hear about are those taken intentionally by others. I’ve struggled throughout the day to write this piece. But I’ve found it awkwardly difficult because its too surreal. Here it is the beginning of a New Year but before it got underway good this death has occurred, one that will probably never be understood.

Radiah is gone; her life taken by another… let us each pray for and remember that now four children are now left without a mother.

I encourage each of you who read this to remember that at any moment this GIFT called life can end, so live it to the fullest and remember to give thanks to GOD again and again for it.

REST IN PEACE RADIAH

Sep8

Gainesville, FL Pastor vs. General Petraeus

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Southern Laydee

Gainesville, FL Pastor vs. General Petraeus

Photo from GOOGLE search

~Gainesville, FL

Rev. Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center has plans to burn the Holy Quran on September 11, 2010. His planned actions are more likely than not, within his Constitutionally protected 1st Amendment rights.

Top U.S. Commander in Afghanistan, General Petraeus has warned that the implications of Jones planned actions will put soliders in great peril and greater danger than they already face.

Jones is the Pastor of a congregation of 50 parishioners. They’ve been receiving copies from supporters all over the country. I wonder what would be the response if the same were done to the Holy Bible here in America?

Petraeus warned the Associated Press recently that images of the burning “would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan—and around the world—to inflame public opinion and incite violence.”

I do not agree with Jones’ plans. I understand that we have constitutionally protected rights, but I also understand and believe that often “your rights end where someone else’s begins.” I hope that between now and Saturday that he is convinced to reconsider and doesn’t go through with it.

For more on this story Read SLATE here

Jun4

Dear BP… This Is What Your Oil Spill Means To Me

Posted on June 4, 2010 by Southern Laydee

Dear BP… This Is What Your Oil Spill Means To Me

How much longer will Clearwater Beaches be this clear?

Last week I traveled home with one major priority, I was definitely going to a Gulf of Mexico Beach. On May 27th I went to Clearwater Beach along with my mother. When we first arrived, I found myself in awe of the beauty that was God’s creation. I was amazed to see the beautiful beaches of the west coast of Florida once again. I was also saddened by the realization that that visit may well indeed be my last chance to see those waters that pristine.

Growing up in Central Florida, a trip to the beach was quite common. I visited numerous Gulf Coast beaches in the Tampa Bay area from Clearwater to St. Petersburg. I’ve visited the beautiful beaches of Collier County, and even those of the Florida Panhandle. But none remind me of home as much as those of the Tampa Bay region.

This spill is no smiling matter

Then there are the beaches of Miami, particularly the serene shores of North Beach. Lest not forget the beaches along the Atlantic including, Cocoa, Daytona and Jacksonville. I ask myself, will I be able to visit these beaches before the oil does, and the answer is probably not.

From the dunes of San Fernadina Beach to the Florida Keys, back north to the shores of the panhandle, some of Florida greatest treasures face a very grim future.

With Hurricane season just underway, I’m more than convinced that the oil that sits out in the Gulf of Mexico will be carried around the state which is my home… Florida. This is a sign of the end of things which we take for granted, like a country boil filled with blue crabs and shrimps along with all the fixings or a quick Sunday afternoon trip to the beach.

As sad, angry and disgusted I am about the spill and its effects on the beaches and economy of Florida, it doesn’t began to compare to the pain, agony and frustrations of the families of those who have lost sons, fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, husbands, boyfriends, best friends, grandsons, godfathers, nephews… Yes, the families and friends of the BP 11 as I like to remember them are the ones suffering the greatest losses in this entire matter.

On April 20th, officials from your company gathered to celebrate 7 years without injuries. I sure do hope the 11 men who lost their lives that evening got to taste some of that bubbly. Their names are rarely heard as if they died years ago, when actually it was only weeks ago.

Jason Anderson, 35, Midfield, Texas
Aaron Dale Burkeen, 37, Philadelphia, Mississippi
Donald Clark, 34, Newellton, Louisiana
Stephen Curtis, 39, Georgetown, Louisiana
Gordon Jones, 28, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Roy Wyatt Kemp, 27, Jonesville, Louisiana
Karl Klepping, 38, Natchez, Mississippi
Blair Manuel, 56, Eunice, Louisiana
Dewey Revette, 48, State Line, Mississippi
Shane Roshto, 22, Franklin County, Mississippi
Adam Weise, 24, Yorktown, Texas

Just as we are taught as children, I bid you (BP) the same instructions… “Clean up after yourself, this is your mess and your responsibility!”

(Photos were personal or found on Google)

Mar16

Florida Girl Power!

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Southern Laydee

Florida Girl Power!

Every Socialite should have a some sense when it comes to POLITICS! Southern Socialites definitely should have a political awareness. Often you’ll hear people say “Politics & Religion are two things that should never be discussed, because they create too many arguments.” I totally disagree. Its because they aren’t discussed enough that people argue about them. First of all these are two of the most important “FREEDOMS & RIGHTS” we have.

So what is Florida Girl Power? Florida’s current State Supreme Court Chief Justice is, Peggy Quince. She is the first African American woman to serve in this role. She was appointed to this position in 2008 by Governor Charlie Crist. An alum of Howard University and a member of ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC., I can’t resist featuring my soror, and one of my living SHERO’s!

Florida is one of the only “Southern States” to never have had “GIRL POWER” in the Governors Mansion. However, with the highly contested governors race underway in FL that is likely to change.

Enter the state CFO of Florida, Alex Sink and State Senator Paula Dockery… These two central Florida residents are already proven leaders. Both are vowing to become the next governor of my home state. Sink is a Democratic hopeful who is favored in the polls to represent her party. Dockery, a Republican on the otherhand, is fighting to first defeat Bill McCullom, the states Attorney General. If Dockery is successful in defeating McCullom, and Sink keeps her hold on the Democratic front we will have “GIRL POWER” leading Florida.

I have an affinity for Dockery. I have had personal encounters with her which have proven to me that she still knows how to come home from Tallahassee and not only listen to her constituents, she helps them. Surely, I will keep my eyes on this election, not just for the historic aspects of it, but because Florida is facing several issues that will directly affect me as a FLORIDA VOTER.
If you live in Florida I encourage you to take a stand on the following issues: