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.

The Alchemy of Transforming Teens?

Posted on November 15, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

A week ago in the early morning rush hour I bumped into a young lady on a Brooklyn street in Brownsville. “Mr. Waters!” she said, giving me a hug. Fourteen years ago this young lady was 14 years old, a … Continue reading →

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All creeps, catcallers are not Men of Color

Posted on November 11, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Remember the video posted about two weeks ago by Hollaback, which showed a white woman, casually dressed, walking the streets of New York City and being catcalled, etc? It shows mostly Black men and Latinos engaging in this behavior. Another … Continue reading →

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Excerpt from my book, “Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass: Remembering Things Past and Present”

Posted on November 4, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

From George Washington to George Bush. From the birth of a nation to a kinder, gentler nation. From Thomas Jefferson to William Jefferson Clinton. From Democratic Republicanism to the New Democrats. From honest Abe to tricky Dick to Slick Willie. … Continue reading →

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The New York Post, Commissioner Broken Windows, Chief Banks, and “Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats”

Posted on November 3, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

I don’t believe anything written in The New York Post, not even the Sports Pages. Actually, I don’t read the Post.  I went to Alexander Hamilton High School (now Paul Robeson), and know that Hamilton started the Post.   I know Hamilton … Continue reading →

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Two Classic Speeches on Voting

Posted on October 31, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

With Election Day right around the corner, now is a good time to read or re-read two pieces, Frederick Douglass’ “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro,” given on July 5, 1852, and Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the … Continue reading →

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Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet” (April 3, 1964)

Posted on October 31, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Mr. Moderator, Brother Lomax, brothers and sisters, friends and enemies: I just can’t believe everyone in here is a friend, and I don’t want to leave anybody out. The question tonight, as I understand it, is “The Negro Revolt, and … Continue reading →

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Frederick Douglass’ “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” (July 5, 1852)

Posted on October 31, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens: He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with … Continue reading →

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Vision Zero? A Whole Lot of Nothing

Posted on October 28, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On October 27, 2014, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a law to lower speed limit in NYC to 25 mph. Granted, New Yorkers drive too fast and there are far too many injuries and fatalities caused by speeding drivers. … Continue reading →

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Eddie Ellis and Criminal Justice Language

Posted on August 3, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

When I think of the life and legacy of Eddie Ellis, I think of his Criminal Justice Language Letter, a short, simple, but seminal letter that began to change the discourse in criminal justice, first in New York State, and … Continue reading →

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THERE ARE NO SECRETS IN THIS PLACE

Posted on July 27, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Officer Kirsch, or Officer K, as he was called, had once told Norman that there were no secrets in the maximum security prison. That was putting the matter nicely, Norman had thought. There were rats in every crevice in the … Continue reading →

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