Category Archives: Politics & Public Affairs

My Two White Sisters

Posted on March 14, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

One day, when we were kids, Mommy made a Pronouncement: “Today, you are going to meet your white relatives.”  I don’t recall meeting our white relatives (maybe I was traumatized), but I remember this pronouncement.  I was still innocent, and, … Continue reading →

Posted in being a teenager, Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass, Family, Genealogy, Lest We Forget, Politics & Public Affairs, raising black boys, Relationships | Tagged | Leave a comment

Fiat justitia ruat caelum

Posted on March 13, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Today I get to uplift an advocate and an author, Claudette Nurse. I have not met a person more passionate about justice than Claudette. (She causes “good trouble.”) She is an attorney. She worked for the Legal Aid Society, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice & Punishment, Justice Chronicles, Lest We Forget, Life Sentences, Murder, Parole, Politics & Public Affairs, Reentry, remorse | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An American Odyssey

Posted on March 10, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

I like a good story, one reason why I like Greek comedies and tragedies, and I fancy myself a storyteller.  So, I’ll tell you a story. . . Once upon a time (1973), Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York State … Continue reading →

Posted in crime, Family, Justice Chronicles, Lest We Forget, Life Sentences, Mother's Messages, Osborne Association, Politics & Public Affairs, Reentry, Relationships, urban decay, Urban Impact | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The “new” Jim Crow is as old as the Union

Posted on March 7, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Ever have a “Eureka!” moment?  During my legal research in the early 1980’s, I came across something that, beyond a reasonable doubt, confirmed what people had been talking about without much evidence, beyond the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass, Lest We Forget, Martin Luther King, Politics & Public Affairs, Race, History & American Society, Slavery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ida B. Wells: The Black Woman Crusader Against White Knights

Posted on March 4, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Ida B. Wells was born into slavery on July 16, 1862.  She was “freed” by presidential proclamation and executive order (the Emancipation Proclamation) issued by President Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862, during the American Civil War. Ida B. Wells … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass, Lest We Forget, Poetry, Politics & Public Affairs, Race, History & American Society, raising black boys, Religion, Slavery | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Three Pillars of American Society: Slavery, Segregation, and Hyperincarceration

Posted on March 1, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

America stands on three pillars: slavery, segregation, and hyperincarceration (incorrectly referred to as “mass incarceration”).  These “pillars” implicate and impact mostly Black people, but also all people living in America or dreaming about coming to America.  In fact, the U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass, Justice Chronicles, Lest We Forget, Life Sentences, Politics & Public Affairs, Race, History & American Society, Slavery, Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats, Streets of Rage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Terrorist You Know

Posted on February 4, 2021 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Canada has declared the “far right” group the Proud Boys a terrorist group, which has various implications, even going after fundraising and funding sources, that is, bank accounts linked to the group may be frozen and assests seized. The United … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Posted on January 27, 2021 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Today, January 27th, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A Time magazine article, “‘Hate Never Disappears. It Just Takes a Break for a While.’ Why the U.S. Capitol Attack Makes Holocaust Remembrance Day More Important Than Ever,” reveals why we should … Continue reading →

Posted in crime, Justice Chronicles, Lest We Forget, Murder, Patriotism, Politics & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Hang Mike Pence!”

Posted on January 22, 2021 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

The January 6th Insurrectionists’ assault on our Capitol revealed a number of things beyond the American Divide, which is always racial, although this Insurrection was framed as political by most of the talking heads. Of all the disturbing images and … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

“Final” Touches on The Black Blood of Poetry

Posted on August 19, 2020 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Early this morning I put the “final” touches on my title poem, “The Black Blood of Poetry.” I wasn’t going to post it, but it is timely, and I’d rather not wait until the collection is published to put this … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass, crime, James Baldwin, Lest We Forget, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Murder, Nation of Islam, Poetry, Politics & Public Affairs, raising black boys, Revolution, Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats, Sonny's Blues, Streets of Rage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment