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
Mar16
Mar13
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.
Mar10
Whitney’s Gone Y’all
It’s been a month since she passed away, yet it seems like only yesterday.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston, August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012… The Voice.
I have attempted to write this post several times since the passing of “Auntie Whitney” but I couldn’t. I know she wasn’t a friend, a relative or an associate however she was very much a part of my life.
My earliest memory of her took place on a weekend trip with my mother and sister from our home in central Florida to Jacksonville, Florida. I was belting out every word of “Greatest Love of All” and my older sister turned around and stared at me in backseat of my mothers 78 Thunderbird and said “how do you know all the words?” and then she laughed. I remember thinking to myself as I sang the rest of the song, “God is love, and he’s in me.”
Clearly this wasn’t a “gospel/religious” song however God is too big to fit in a simple “musical genre”, and Whitney’s voice was too big to not be an instrument specifically designed by God to touch lives.
Through the years I’d ask for or buy every album Whitney made including her movie soundtracks. No other artists’ voice could make me cry and feel the way Whitney’s did… NONE! Her voice made me believe in myself, in love, in overcoming, in sisterhood and more.
So Why Is She Auntie Whitney?
Aunties are the women we emulate, rely on, seek out, adore and believe in. Aunties are almost like superheroes to little girls. Even your “bad” Auntie probably had/has some “superpower” that made you love her stronger or harder despite her pitfalls.
For Auntie Whitney, her superpowers were her tenacity and her voice.
She never blamed others for her drug use, she owned it as did she with her battles. Despite her chemical demons she still believed in something greater than herself and when she spoke of that greater being, it’s almost as if you could see the sound of one of her beautiful “hmmm’s” in the smiles of her eyes… (you may have to read that aloud to understand what I’m saying)
I don’t know, maybe you’ve never had a loved one with an addiction or condition… But I have and despite the ugliness that comes with that, there’s still this glimmer of hope that resonates from them… It’s love.
But She’s A Stranger
When iconic figures pass, people often ask why do strangers grieve the way they do… I’ll attempt to explain.
People say music is an universal language which unites all nations, tribes and races. If this is true, and I believe it is; perhaps that explains why God chose the skinny and shy young girl from Newark to blow the world away with songs of hope, faith and love.
This isn’t really coming together the way I want it to, probably because I want to believe that this is all just a bad dream although I know it is very much real.
Lastly, before I go I’d like to leave you with a post I wrote here on TSS February 13, 2011, “When The Pipes Go Out”.
“The world can chip away at you, I mean the world can really attack and try to steal you from you but GOD said… “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Sometimes we get so busy with life and living we lose track of how to live. I’m a living testament of this, as are many who will read and share this post. The beauty of all this is GOD loves us despite us. It’s easy to see people in the spot light living their lives and see them rise and fall through the years. As we watch them, we shake our heads often in disappointment and with doubtful thoughts that they will ever rise again… But GOD!
Anyone who knows me knows that I love Whitney Houston. And anyone who has ever heard her voice can probably understand why. I look at her as an example of God at work loving us in spite of us.
This morning my pastor shared the story about a virtuoso who played the organ. He was loved around the world. Sold out performances with standing ovations and cheers for encores at every show. The organ he played was very special. It was the kind of organ that required air to be blown into the pipes.
After one of his performances, a brother covered in sweat and exhaustion said to him, “we did great tonight didn’t we.” The virtuoso said, “I did great.” The virtuoso went on and on about how awesome he was and how the people all loved him. The brother was a bit hurt by this, afterall he had nearly blown his lungs out to give air to those pipes. As they stood behind the stage, the audience began to cheer for an encore. They wanted more of the virtuoso and so he returned to the stage, sat as his organ and began to play the organ but there was no sound. The audience grew silent, he touched the key’s again. Still no sound…
At that moment, he stood up and called the brother out and shared that they both were responsible for the beautiful music. He realized he had to give credit where credit was due, for without the air being blown by the brother, there would be no music!
That’s how life is for many of us. We build up these great positions, roles, accomplishments, careers, families, ventures and lives but we forget from which all of it comes. But God…
When we get so great that we forget, ignore and/or fail to recognize the GREAT I AM because we are so busy saying I am Great, we lose our air.
Whitney Houston became great. She rose to the top and none has ever gone higher than her. No one compares Whitney to anyone, but we all compare other’s to Whitney. When she hit rock bottom, it was as if she lost her air. She was a lot like the virtuoso, basking in the glory of herself and being the greatest. Just like the virtuoso, she lost her air. But GOD…
Sure, Whitney Houston of 2011 is nothing like the Whitney of 1986 when we first heard her sing THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL. Her voice isn’t as strong as it was then, but to hear her voice today is to see God blowing air into the organ… Its a sweet sound to hear God’s love pour through her voice. The cracks or slight distorted notes serve as a reminder, that although life may batter us, God keeps us from being broken.
I don’t know if Whitney will ever get back the air she had, but the air that she has today shows me that with God and through God, all things are possible. He has plans for us, each of us…”
Feb6
How Will They Remember You?
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?
Dec20
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!!
Sep21
When Girls Kill… Meet The Murderer’s
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
Sep17
Too Much Doubt… TROY DAVIS
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
Sep17
When Girls Kill… 4 Little Girls GONE in 2011
Part One of Three… The 4 Victims
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.
Jul12
7/13 VOTE Coach Corey Tumer 2011 Hoodie Awards Community Leader
5 Reasons to Vote for Coach Corey Tumer as the 2011 Hoodie Awards Community Leader today, WEDNESDAY July 13th
1. Corey is a Public School Teacher (that in itself deserves an applause)
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!!)
Jun30
My $3 Birthday Wish… HBCU Yard Edition
Usually on my birthday I travel out of town and party, party, PARTY, well this year while all my friends are partying at Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, at The Taste of Chicago or at a beach I’ll be enjoying a full day in Bar Review class down in Dixie (insert sarcasm here).
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!!!
