Category Archives: crime

THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-10

The content discusses how purpose transforms experiences, particularly in restrictive environments. It highlights that meaningful work can bring dignity and hope, making daily routines significant. The piece encourages reflection on what gives one’s work meaning, emphasizing healing through purpose. Continue reading

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THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-09

Fear serves as a powerful means of control, influencing behavior and limiting creativity. While it can ensure compliance within institutions, it seldom fosters genuine transformation. Trust, not just courage, is the true antidote to fear. The implications of fear-based policies raise critical questions about societal development and justice. Continue reading

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THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-08

The content explores the idea that prisons can be formed by invisible barriers such as memory, fear, and prejudice, rather than just physical structures. It suggests that true freedom starts with recognizing and confronting these unseen obstacles that shape our lives, emphasizing themes of hope and justice in the context of literary fiction. Continue reading

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THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-07

Confinement alters privacy, making personal experiences visible while keeping institutions opaque. This raises the question of transparency in systems versus individuals. The paradox highlights a need for greater scrutiny of institutions to ensure justice, as individual lives are laid bare. Easy Waters explores these themes in “Conundrums: Stories of Law & Justice.” Continue reading

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THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-06

The law is meant to preserve freedom. Yet history reminds us that laws have also defended injustice, prolonged inequality, and restricted opportunity. This sentence asks us to distinguish between respect for the rule of law and blind acceptance of every … Continue reading

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THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-05

The law library serves as a vital resource for incarcerated individuals, fostering hope and reclaiming dignity through research and argumentation. It plays a crucial role in the pursuit of justice, as determined individuals seek knowledge and solutions in a space where options are limited. Continue reading

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THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-04

Loss can occur suddenly or subtly, often going unnoticed for years. Innocence fades gradually through life’s challenges, prompting reflection on the soul’s essence. The importance lies in recognizing and protecting our true selves amidst external demands. This excerpt invites contemplation on what is truly worth safeguarding. Continue reading

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Short Stories that Challenge the Legal System: A Review by Dr. Mark Chapman of “Conundrums: Stories of Law & Justice” by Easy Waters

Easy Waters’ collection “Conundrums” features humorous and insightful short stories that explore the absurdities of prison and the legal system. The engaging narratives, filled with wit and deep reflection on justice, showcase Waters’ masterful storytelling and his ability to humanize incarcerated individuals. A must-read for enthusiasts of poignant fiction. Continue reading

Posted in crime, ezwwaters, James Baldwin, Justice Chronicles, Life Sentences, Murder, Parole, parole board, Politics, race, raising black boys, remorse, Short Stories, Sonny's Blues, Streets of Rage, The Black Blood of Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature, Part IV

I began writing this fourth and “final” installment of “Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature” on Martin Luther King Day. I re-read Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (16 April 1963), not for purposes of this series, but on this … Continue reading

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Blood at the Root: Then and Now

My first book, the award-winning epic poem, Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass: Remembrance of Things Past and Present, deals with the theme(s) of “the captivity, exploitation and suffering of Black people in America.”  But not all of … Continue reading

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