Tag Archives: James Baldwin

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

Posted on June 26, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka 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 Fiction & Short Stories, Justice Chronicles, Politics & Public Affairs, Streets of Rage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Toni Morrison Slays Moby Dick

Posted on April 28, 2025 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Toni Morrison writes that Moby Dick is “[a] complex, heaving, disorderly, profound text.” In my attempt, in my teens and twenties, to read as many “classics” as possible, I set out, like Ahab, to conquer the great white whale of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education & Teaching, Politics & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

James Baldwin’s Journey Through Politics

Posted on May 6, 2023 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Thirty years ago I wrote an essay, “The Election Time Blues.”  It spoke about how political discourse in America was depressing; at least, it depressed me, and it continues to do so.  When crime is on the platform, it becomes … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature & Cultural Criticism, Politics & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Aunt Jemima and Uncle Tom Redux

Posted on May 2, 2023 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

In “Many Thousands Gone,” one of James Baldwin’s essays in Notes of a Native Son, Baldwin writes about white America’s favorite aunt and uncle, Jemima and Tom: “There was no one more forbearing than Aunt Jemima, no one stronger or … Continue reading →

Posted in Justice Chronicles, Politics & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Wanna Go to Bailey’s Cafe

Posted on February 26, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Gloria Naylor is another Scheherazade.  She was a consummate storyteller, wrote beautifully, created engaging stories and characters we could judge if so inclined by the content of their character, not their race.  Unlike Alice Walker, Naylor’s male characters have more … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature & Cultural Criticism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in Justice Chronicles, Literature & Cultural Criticism, Streets of Rage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Weary Blues Redux

Posted on February 15, 2022 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

In 1926 Langston Hughes published his collection of poetry, The Weary Blues.  That same year my father was born in the segregated South.  Carl Van Vechten’s book, Nigger Heaven, was also published that year. My father was born on this … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature & Cultural Criticism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Maya Angelou, A Muse for All Ages

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

On this Day of Love, also known as Valentine’s Day, I want to uplift an author and one of her books, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.  I love Maya and this book! Maya Angelou was challenged by none … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature & Cultural Criticism | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

They Came in the Morning, and Returned that Night

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

This book was originally published in 1971, three years after Richard Nixon declared his War on Crime when he was campaigning for the U.S. presidency.  As I have written elsewhere, Nixon’s declaration of war in 1968 marked the beginning of … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice & Punishment, Literature & Cultural Criticism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment