Tag Archives: Nation of Islam

Cancel Culture Redux

Posted on September 20, 2025 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Revisiting “The Cancel-Culture Conundrum.” Continue reading →

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Streets of Rage Redux

Posted on May 2, 2024 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

When my childhood friend, Isa Rock, read and reviewed my novel, Streets of Rage, he wanted more.  A few mornings ago, I started to think about more, and thus the process began in my head.  My process as a writer … Continue reading →

Posted in being a teenager, Books & Writing Projects, juveniles, Murder, raising black boys, Streets of Rage | Tagged | Leave a comment

From the American Revolution to the Black Arts Cultural Revolution

Posted on February 21, 2024 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

After the American Revolution, most of the defining moments in American history involve or revolve around Black people.  Black folk were even involved in the American Revolution, fighting on both sides – the British promised Africans and the descendants of … Continue reading →

Posted in Black patriotism, Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass, Growing Up, Lest We Forget, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Patriotism, Poetry, Politics & Public Affairs, Revolution, Slavery, Streets of Rage, urban decay, Urban Impact | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Black Arts Movement

Posted on February 8, 2024 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

The theme for this Black History Month is African Americans and the Arts.  For purposes of this blog, I’ll highlight the “Black Arts Era” (1960-1975).  The Black Arts Era began at the very beginning of what Samuel F. Yette, influential … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass, Education & Teaching, Lest We Forget, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Murder, Politics & Public Affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass, Family, Memory & Personal Essays, Growing Up, Lest We Forget, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Murder, raising black boys, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“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, James Baldwin, Lest We Forget, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Murder, Poetry, Politics & Public Affairs, raising black boys, Revolution, Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats, Sonny's Blues, Streets of Rage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Review of my book, Streets of Rage, by Isa Rock

Posted on April 6, 2015 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Easy Waters’ Streets of Rage is a must read, especially for anyone who enjoys reading a good and well written coming-of-age tale. The majority of the story takes place in 1970’s Brooklyn, in the projects and surrounding area. It’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in being a teenager, Books & Writing Projects, Growing Up, juveniles, Murder, raising black boys, Streets of Rage, urban decay, Urban Impact | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From my novel “Streets of Rage”

Posted on February 26, 2015 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

PROLOGUE The little black guy was in the living room, kneeling on the floor as if in prayer. Papers were on the floor before him. A Bible was before him, too. He was intent upon what he was doing. “Peace, god!” the … Continue reading →

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The Three Erics

Posted on October 10, 2013 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Three years ago, when I turned 50 years of age, I wrote a poem in the tradition of Ginsberg’s “Howl!,” talking about what had happened to some of the best of my generation. I titled it “Celebrating Fifty Years of … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice & Punishment, Fathers, Growing Up, Malcolm X, Race, History & American Society, Urban Impact | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment