Author Archives: William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

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About William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

William Eric Waters is an award-winning poet, fiction writer, essayist, educator, criminal-justice scholar, and nonprofit executive. Writing as William E. Waters, he is the author of the epic poem Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass and three poetry collections: Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats, The Black Feminine Mystique, and The Black Blood of Poetry. Under the pen name Easy Waters, he is the author of the novel Streets of Rage and the short-story collection Conundrums: Stories of Law & Justice. His work explores Black history, race, law, punishment, institutional power, accountability, redemption, and resilience.

A Change Agent for a Just Society

Posted on August 5, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

What’s a quote that perfectly describes your outlook on life? I’m a change agent for a just society, and a catalyst for change!

Posted in Advocacy, Research & Lived Expertise | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Loudest Chains Are Often the Ones We Accept — The Conundrums Quotation Project — CQ-015

Posted on August 5, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

“The loudest chains are often the ones we accept.” “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” — Martin Luther King Jr. Introduction When most people hear the word chains, they picture iron … Continue reading →

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“To Be Ignorant of One’s Ignorance” — Amos Bronson Alcott

Posted on August 3, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

What is your favorite quote? “To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant.” — Amos Bronson Alcott

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A New Future Deserves a New Foundation — The Conundrums Quotation Project — CQ-014

Posted on August 3, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Change requires more than effort; it necessitates examining and rebuilding our foundational beliefs, relationships, and narratives. Genuine transformation involves honest reflection and asking uncomfortable questions about past assumptions that shape our lives. True rehabilitation emerges from replacing fear and isolation with purpose, accountability, and community, crafting a wiser, healthier future. Continue reading →

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How Learning to Type Prepared Me to Be a Writer

Posted on August 1, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

What’s a skill you consider basic, that most people don’t actually know how to do? Typing! I’m from the generation where we had the option to take typing classes, as an elective. In 6th grade, a friend and I discovered … Continue reading →

Posted in Education & Teaching | Tagged | 2 Comments

What Would a System Designed for Healing Look Like? — The Conundrums Quotation Project — CQ-013

Posted on July 31, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Institutions exist for specific purposes, and prioritizing compliance over healing can lead to order without genuine change. Lasting transformation occurs when individuals are seen as capable of growth and renewal. The critical inquiry is about the intended outcomes of systems and envisioning those designed for healing. Continue reading →

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Edmond Dantès, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Second Chances

Posted on July 31, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Who is the fictional character you relate to the most? This is an easy one! Edmond Dantes, from my favorite book as a teenager, “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Alexandre Dumas’ book has been adapted for the screen numerous times, … Continue reading →

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Not Everything Happens for a Reason

Posted on July 30, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Do you think everything happens for a reason? I think it’s most important how people respond to the things that happen, not that there’s a reason why they happen — they just happen; and some things happen by happenstance, with … Continue reading →

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When Justice Arrives Too Late — The Conundrums Quotation Project — CQ-012

Posted on July 29, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

The post reflects on the impact of time on evidence, memories, and justice, emphasizing that delayed justice cannot restore lost relationships or opportunities. It prompts consideration of how to measure the cost of such delays, questioning whether justice, when it arrives, is still meaningful. Continue reading →

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“Touch Me in the Morning”

Posted on July 28, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

What’s a song lyric that has stuck with you forever? Diana Ross’ “Touch Me in The Morning” has stuck with me forever! When I hear the lyrics, I am transported back to junior high school, to I. S. 318, to … Continue reading →

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