Author Archives: William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Unknown's avatar

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.

Death of a Kingmaker

Posted on December 27, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

William C. Thompson Sr. passed away on Christmas Eve, a belated gift to the thousands of people who were railroaded under his judicial watch when he was the Administrative Judge in Kings County Supreme Court. The praises have been pouring … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice & Punishment, Justice Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The White Hats Are Coming…

Posted on November 9, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

White supremacist flyers were found in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.  Under the heading, “White Excellence,” the flyers called on white men to “defend your heritage” – of lynching and racial violence against Black people? – and stop Blacks … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On this day in American history, November 7, 1931 — Fisk University Dean and Student Die In Car Wreck After Denied Hospital Care Due to Race

Posted on November 7, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On November 7, 1931, Dean Juliette Derricotte of Fisk University in Nashville was driving three students to her parents’ home in Atlanta when a Model T driven by an older white man suddenly swerved and struck Ms. Derricotte’s car, overturning … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in American history, November 7, 1955 — U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Ruling Outlawing Racial Segregation in Public Recreational Facilities

Posted on November 7, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

In Mayor and City Council of Baltimore v. Dawson, African Americans living in Baltimore, Maryland, sued the city’s mayor and city council for maintaining racially segregated, publicly-funded beaches and parks. A federal district court initially dismissed the complaint, holding that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Every Election Has Been Important in My Lifetime

Posted on November 6, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Political pundits are proclaiming that this is the most important election of our lifetime.  Every election has been important in my lifetime.  As a child of the ‘60s, as a kid, I heard the stories of Black people being killed … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics & Public Affairs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

On this day in American History, November 6, 1909 — Colored Alabamian Reports Murder of Black Wagon Driver in Alabama

Posted on November 6, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

In October 1909, a black wagon driver “who did not drive as far to the right as a white man thought he should” was shot dead in Montgomery, Alabama. According to an article in Colored Alabamian magazine, the white man avoided punishment … Continue reading →

Posted in Justice Chronicles, Race, History & American Society, Streets of Rage | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in American history — October 15, 1883 United States Supreme Court Strikes Down Civil Rights Act of 1875

Posted on October 15, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

In 1875, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act, which forbade racial discrimination in access to public accommodations and facilities. Over the ensuing years, a number of African Americans sued businesses that denied them access to segregated facilities. In 1883, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in American history, October 14, 1958 — District of Columbia Bar Association Votes to Accept Black Lawyers for First Time

Posted on October 14, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Attorneys in the District of Columbia were not required to belong to a professional bar association in the 1950s, but the District maintained several voluntary bar associations that lawyers could choose to join. The Bar Association of the District of … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , | Leave a comment

On this day in American history, October 11, 1995 — Three Brentwood, Pennsylvania, Police Officers Kill Unarmed Black Motorist During Traffic Stop

Posted on October 12, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Jonny Gammage, cousin and business partner of Pittsburgh Steelers football player Ray Seals, was detained during a traffic stop while driving Mr. Seals’s Jaguar in the working-class suburb of Brentwood on the morning of October 12, 1995. According to testimony, … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

This day in American history, October 11, 1944 — United States Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Korematsu v. United States

Posted on October 11, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the United States declared war on Japan. In February 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, authorizing military exclusion of any citizens from areas deemed critical to national … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment