Category Archives: Florida

Dec20

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: