Back in the fall of 2010 I wrote a post in rememberance of someone who was a total stranger. The post itself was quite simple mostly because the bulk of it consisted of a poem. But the message and power it possessed was clear. Perhaps that is why it remains the most popular post on the site!

Death is THE END but when it occurs those of us who are left behind are intrigued, inspired, persuaded and or engulfed by what happened between the beginning of ones life and the end.

The poem was THE DASH by Linda Ellis.

Just a little over a month ago, I lost someone who lived her 84 year old DASH through serving others and sharing kindness and love. She was my confidant, “my grandmother” (at times), my BFF, my voice of reason, my heart… She was my Aunt Mildred.

Losing her has been difficult, especially since I watched her battle her illness most of last year. When she passed her DASH told a story of a woman who gave her life to serving others. At her funeral, I read the DASH as I knew it would make her smile and make those of us who are still here reconsider what we will do with the rest of our DASH.

But as much as this post is about my aunt, it is more about the importance of our DASH.

After reading an online article about the death of 35 year-old Hazell Stoudemire (Amare’s brother) I did what I often do, I read the comments.

The paper who published the article following the fatal car accident focused a considerable amount on the darkness of Hazell’s short life. The comments overwhelmingly showed that despite his dark past, readers still desire that we pause in sympathy when a life is lost and not focus on what that life was, afterall a mother still has to bury her son, a family a brother and a community a friend.

This got me to thinking… (and yes blogging)

What am I doing in my DASH, what have I done and what else will I do… What are you doing, what have you done and what else will you do?

How Will They Remember You… How will you LIVE your DASH?

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!!

Killed not by a bomb in 1963 but by 4 other girls in 2011... WHEN GIRLS KILL

Thursday, September 15, 2011 marked the 48th anniversary of a bombing that rocked a nation… The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL was bombed during Sunday School services, killing 4 little girls… WE REMEMBER THEM and we also now should remember 4 more girls who have died not by the hands of racists but by the the hands of 4 more girls who now face murder charges… But more than remember, we must now protect, serve, mentor and support our youth. This is part 2 of a 3 part series which reveals the victims, the suspected murderers and more. ~~>  Read the Series Here

Troy Davis

Troy Davis was  convicted of the August 19, 1989, murder of Savannah, Georgia, police officer Mark MacPhail. Davis has been on death row in Georgia since 1991. Over the past 20 years, Davis has maintained his innocence, saying he was wrongfully convicted as a result of false identification.

Since his conviction, seven of the nine witnesses recanted their statements, new witnesses have come forward identifying another man as the murderer, and the alleged murder weapon has not been found.

Despite these new developments, the state of Georgia is putting Davis on track to be executed. You can help save Troy Davis’ life by adding your voice to the NAACP’s “name wall” and asking the Georgia Parole Board to commute his sentence: Click here to support this cause Troy Davis

Killed not by a bomb in 1963 but by 4 other girls in 2011... WHEN GIRLS KILL

Thursday, September 15, 2011 marked the 48th anniversary of a bombing that rocked a nation… The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL was bombed during Sunday School services… WE REMEMBER THEM and we also now should remember 4 more girls who have died not by the hands of racists but by the the hands of 4 more girls who now face murder charges… This 3 part series will reveal the victims, the suspected murderers and more. Meet the victims::

MURFREESBORO, TN… Wednesday, March 2, 2011… (exact time unknown), 21 year old Tina Stewart was stabbed multiple times by her roommate after an apparent physical altercation. When police arrived they found Stewart stabbed to death in her apartment.

BESSEMER, AL … Saturday, August 13, 2011… 12:02 am 18 year-old Meoshia Townsend was shot in the head while seated inside a car parked at the McDonald’s on Ninth Avenue, following a verbal altercation. Townsend was taken to University Hospital where she died at 1:40 am.

TALLAHASSEE, FL … Sunday, September 4, 2011… approximately 2:03 am, police rush in response to a report of a stabbing at 3025 South Adams Street. EMS  found an unresponsive 20 year-old Florida A&M University student athlete, Shannon Washington. Washington had been fatally stabbed in her neck. Washington was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

BOWIE, MD… Thursday, September 15, 2011… just after 8 p.m. in the 14000 block of Jericho Park Road in Bowie, police responded to a reported stabbing at Christa McAulliffe Residential Center on the campus of Bowie State University. 18 year old Dominique Frazier was stabbed to death by her roommate. Fire/EMS took Frazier to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

2. Coach Tumer has been a role model for students in his adopted community of Lakeland, FL

3. Coach Tumer coaches the TOP teen step team in FLORIDA, traveling throughout the state to compete in competitions

4. Coach Tumer coaches youth basketball

5. Coach Tumer gives back to his local community by hosting positive events for positive people, assisting local students with positive support, life skills, financial assistance and tough love. On July 23, 2011 he will be joined by Lakeland’s own NFL stars Mike & Maurkice Pouncey in the 2nd Annual Corey Tumer Back to School Supply Drive.

6. Yea, I know I said 5 but it’s my site… Vote for Coach Tumer because he is a role model for the community, he is an example of someone who abides by the rule, “To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected”, and he exceeds the expectation. He’s a father to the fatherless, a brother to the brotherless. His selfless acts of being a 30 something single guy who gives of himself without hesitation to help others creates in him the ideal nominee and recipient of the 2011 Hoodie Awards Community Leader!

Click Here to Vote! Corey Tumer Lakeland Florida 2011 Community Leader

** Bonus Reason… The Lakeland Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi voted Corey Tumer as the 2010-2011 Brother of The Year… that’s a big deal, its their Centennial Year!!)

Since I won’t be out partying, sunbathing (yes I do lay out at the beach) or traveling with my friends, I figured I’d celebrate my “BIG 3 Day” by revving up support for a good cause… Education!!

June 2010, I featured Rustin “Roundup Russy” Moore as  ”A FINE SOUTHERN GENT” and well, he’s proving just why he deserved that title. Russy’s latest venture is to raise funds to film a documentary of  the FIRST 48 Hours of an incoming freshman’s experience at North Carolina A&T.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT…

Whether you’re an HBCU alum, a current student or a teacher, friend or family member of the former, this All Access Documentary of an HBCU incoming freshman will hit home. Meet Kaiya Watson from Los Angeles, California. She will be leaving home this August to fly across the U.S. to begin her undergraduate studies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Russy will be spending the first 48 hours with her from the time she lands in North Carolina, and arrives on campus.

SO WHAT’S YOUR WISH SOUTHERN SOCIALITE?

My wish is for everyone who reads this blog to donate a $3 as a “birthday wish” to this project.

HOW CAN YOU DONATE:

Click here —->First 48: HBCU Yard Edition  If you would like to donate $25 or more, don’t be shy about it!!!

If your daddy wasn’t around, or your child’s father isn’t around… Don’t dwell on that. For you have a father who has been with you since day one, even on the day the other guy walked out/away. He’s there daily loving you better than any man could ever love you. If we emulate and focus on his love, perhaps the disdain so many have towards “fathers” would decrease and relationships between father’s and children would increase… It really is easy, we just make it hard. #ijs

Please support Nikki on her quest... Back 2 Bama!

Having said that, I would like to introduce you to Ms. Nikki Gamble. Nikki is a single mother who attended UA several years ago, but due to circumstances that arose, she endured a “Pause” in her academic pursuit. Today, Nikki is ready to press “Play” and return back to “Bama” and finish her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Here is her story… Back To Bama

The Revolution Must Be Mental!

Gil Scott Heron (1949-2011) was an American poet, revolutionary and musician. His album “Pieces of A Man” is a classic work of which everyone of my readers should have the opportunity to experience at least once. 

Hearing the news this evening of his demise saddened me for only a moment. I quickly found myself rehearsing the lines to what has become perhaps his most famous piece, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”, and I realized my tears had been met with a smile and relief in knowing the power and truthfulness of the poem.  Click here for —> The Revolution Will Not Be Televised