Category Archives: Literature & Cultural Criticism

Literary criticism, authors, books by others, cultural interpretation, and literature-centered essays.

Zarafa

Posted on November 9, 2017 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On my early morning ride on the #4 train the other morning, a young woman in Muslim garb, including a hijab covering her head, enters the train at Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn and stands by the door. She’s holding a … Continue reading →

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Leigh Anne Tuohy, Racism, and the White Saviour Complex

Posted on December 17, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Originally posted on The Belle Jar:
Leigh Anne “That Nice Woman Sandra Bullock Played In The Blind Side” Tuohy recently posted the following picture and caption on her Facebook and Instagram accounts: “We see what we want! It’s the gospel…

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REVIEW OF “JAILHOUSE JOURNALISM: THE FOURTH ESTATE BEHIND BARS”

Posted on July 13, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Not much has been written about the history of the prison press. Indeed, until now, according to James McGrath Morris, the author of Jailhouse Journalism: The Fourth Estate Behind Bars, the only book was The Penal Press by Russell Baird. … Continue reading →

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Review of “No Man’s Land”

Posted on July 13, 2014 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Prison is a place steeped in mythology, from the outright lies about it politicians tell to promote their “crime-fighting” policies to the propaganda prison officials print in their periodicals to justify its raison d’être; even prisoners, in their writings, contribute … Continue reading →

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The Eleventh Muse

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

The Eleventh Muse (For Maya Angelou) No stories of female griots? How so? You’re a part of that time honored tradition. Great God fashioned “Lucy” first, The progenitor of the human race. Children first heard stories sitting on your lap, … Continue reading →

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I Have found a Muse

Posted on August 27, 2011 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

I have found a Muse. No, we have found each other. She inspires me to write love letters. Will love make me a better Poet? Maybe I’ll write a love song.

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Sorry, Walter Mosley

Posted on January 21, 2011 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

I had been writing furiously, but the last three days I have let the world of work work against writing every day.  Been writing in my head — I know, that doesn’t count!  Will write and re-write tonight.  Will wake up … Continue reading →

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I haven’t called my Muse

Posted on January 21, 2011 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Imagine not talking to your woman for three days? No, don’t imagine that. Imagine being alone, or at least not with that woman anymore — such is not writing the past couple of days. Will write tonight and over the … Continue reading →

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