Author Archives: William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

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About William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Award-winning poet, playwright, and essayist. Author of three books of poetry, "Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass: Remembrance of Things Past and Present"; "Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats"; "The Black Feminine Mystique," and a novel, "Streets of Rage," written under his pen name Easy Waters. All four books are available on Amazon.com. Waters has over 25 years of experience in the criminal legal system. He is a change agent for a just society and a catalyst for change.

“I’ll Always Love My Mama” (Part 2) — What I learned from my Mother about Restorative Justice

Posted on May 28, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Yesterday, Veterans’ Day, I remembered my father, a World War II vet.  Today, I want to remember my mother.  The 35th anniversary of my mother’s death is fast approaching.  It’s hard to believe that it’s been so long, yet, it’s … Continue reading →

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Memorial Day (2013) — Remembering My Daddy

Posted on May 27, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

It’s Memorial Day, when we remember the men and women who have and are serving in our armed services. Today, I remember my father. He served his country during World War II. He enlisted in the Army on October 31, … Continue reading →

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Those annoying popups (ads)

Posted on May 26, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

I was on Ancestry.com doing further research into my roots when I went to print out a Census record, I got the following ad: “Attention Visitors” “For a short time, we are offering visitors a Complimentary Background Check. “Perform discreet … Continue reading →

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The Challenges of Tracing Roots

Posted on May 25, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

I previously blogged about tracing my roots back to 1805 and how it’s getting hard to go back further in time because almost all my white ancestors in the South (North Carolina) are not on the tree. One of the … Continue reading →

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“My Lord, What a Morning”

Posted on May 24, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Hard at work on my third book of poetry, tentatively titled, “The Black Feminine Mystique.” It’s a collection of poetry for and about women of color, from myth to reality, from history to my story. Here is one of my … Continue reading →

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From my book, Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass — one of my favorite passages

Posted on May 17, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

II On the auction blocks, male and female and even child, bronze bodies oiled and buffed, prepared to be sold like used furniture. Bare black breasts weighed with rough white hands, squeezed like fruit. Teeth exposed, dirty white fingers rubbed … Continue reading →

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“I’ll Always Love My Mama (Part 1)

Posted on May 12, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Today, Mother’s Day, if one turns on the radio one is bound to hear The Intruders’ “I’ll Always Love My Mama,” inspired by one of The Intruders’ (Kenny Gamble) Mama, Ruby. Although the song, released in 1973, didn’t make it … Continue reading →

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“Prison-Based Gerrymandering” and the 3/5ths Compromise

Posted on May 4, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

                The U.S. Census Bureau counts incarcerated individuals at the locations where they are incarcerated rather than at their prior addresses.  This has political as well as economic consequences.                  Most states’ state … Continue reading →

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Roots – Back in 1805

Posted on May 1, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

I have been doing some research into my family’s family tree, and I have made it back in time 200+ years! I am back in 1805, and the White people in my family tree are starting to pop up. They’re … Continue reading →

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From “Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass”

Posted on March 9, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Preamble From slavery to freedom. From pre-colonialism to post-modernism. From revolution to reactionism. From the War for Independence to the Civil War From the slave enlistment bill to Selective Service. From Articles of Confederation to the Confederacy. From agrarianism to … Continue reading →

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