Tag Archives: Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass

We Be Watchin’ You God!

Posted on March 3, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Their Eyes Were Watching God!  That is one of the greatest and most meaningful titles to come out of the Harlem Renaissance.  And Zora Neale Hurston was one of the coolest women during that era, holding her own with all … Continue reading →

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“My Lord, What a Morning”

Posted on March 2, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On the penultimate day of Black History Month, I participated in a Black History Month Celebration at my church, St. Michael-St. Malachy.  I was asked to recite a poem.  A number of youth were present at the celebration, and even … Continue reading →

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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 →

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A Farewell to Black History Month, 2022

Posted on February 28, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Black History Month is in the shortest month of the year.  Caesar Augustus, thinking that the month in honor of his name was too short, took days from February, short changing what would become Black History Month.  In fact, when … Continue reading →

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Son of a Native Southern Son

Posted on February 23, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On this day in American history, in 1982, my father passed away, at the age of 56, a week and a day after he reached that age.  I always think of my father as a Native Southern Son.  When I … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Memory & Personal Essays, Literature & Cultural Criticism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Bigger By Any Other Name

Posted on February 22, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Bigger Thomas, although a fictional character, haunts the imagination of white folk.  Richard Wright’s Native Son, where we meet Bigger Thomas, was published in 1940.  Benjamin Mays, in eulogizing the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 28 years later after … Continue reading →

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Me and Malcolm X’s Murderer

Posted on February 21, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On this day in American history, Malcolm X was murdered.  I was four years of age.  Fourteen years later, I would meet Malcolm X’s killer.  The first thought that crossed my mind: He, Thomas Hagan, is unremarkable.  And then: What … Continue reading →

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Almost Sonnets

Posted on February 9, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Today I have a bonus book recommendation.  I confess it’s a bit of self-promotion, since it is my book.  In fact, I began Black History Month by recommending my award-winning book, Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass: Remembrance … Continue reading →

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A Brief History of How “Black History” is Seen

Posted on September 6, 2020 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

What is called “Black History” in the United States of America is American history.  In categorizing and cataloging “Black History” as such, and relegating it not only to one month of the year, February, but also the shortest month of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education & Teaching, Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Chadwick Boseman: In Memoriam – Black Panther!

Posted on August 31, 2020 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Two years ago, in preparing to deliver a high school graduation commencement address at the Fedcap School in Orange, New Jersey, I researched a number of commencement addresses by pop culture characters and personalities. During my research, I came across … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments