Stanley Tookie Williams
In the aftermath of the Governments decision over one of the most significant executions in a few decades, I am surprised how upset I have been about it.
As an advocate for mothers of children murdered by gang violence in South Los Angeles, both blue and red, it has been extraordinarily difficult to take sides over Stanley Williams fate. Make no mistake. Back in the day he was a man to be cautious of, no doubt, his peers have said so. The important questions is, who is Stanley 25 years later. A man who has championed anti-gang violence for the past ten years. If we are to believe in redemption, why wasnt it extended to him? A question others must answer, not me.
My question is what do we do now, where do we go from here? Will his death help, or hurt us. It has become a dilemma of major proportions. When so many inner-city men look up to an OG (original gangster) like this one, with respect and admiration, how do we convince them not to be bitter? Its a question I have to ask myself. After all, they live in my neighborhoods and Ive seen them die. Always asking why? Sons killed, families destroyed, futures lost, why? For what good purpose? What does Stanleys execution say to them?
Do not believe it will be a deterrent, it wont. They are not afraid to die when they live with it every day, sometimes seeing their friends killed right in front of them. Talk about desensitized. How can we convince them to put the gun down and pick up a book? It almost sounds like a joke.
As someone raised by the village (before we lost it), the foundation of the minds back then were fueled by hope. We had nothing else. Today it looks like our young men dont know what that means. Their willingness to die, for nothing worthwhile, is verification. Bling is not something to die for. Gangster music has it twisted. There is no glory in a Black man killing someone who looks like him. It is an absolute disgrace to the history of our struggles to survive in this country that originally enslaved our forefathers and foremothers. It is a disgrace to every Black man who was tarred and feathered, castrated, and lynched, for any one of us to kill ourselves this way. It is a disgrace to the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. It is a disgrace for us to be the instruments of our own genocide.
I am tired of trying to answer for the generations following mine. It is yours fueling this hate, destruction, and despair. My question is what are you going to do about it?
I am tired of this war and dont want to fight it anymore without your support. Since the Hip-Hop culture is the future, Ive come to you for answers. Let us know when youre ready to step forward. Well be waiting for you to tell us what you intend to do. In the meantime, do us a favor, stop fueling the justice system by going to prison. At least that way, Stanley won't have died in vain.
Sister (Soldier) Lita Herron, Mothers On the March, South Los Angeles
In the aftermath of the Governments decision over one of the most significant executions in a few decades, I am surprised how upset I have been about it.
As an advocate for mothers of children murdered by gang violence in South Los Angeles, both blue and red, it has been extraordinarily difficult to take sides over Stanley Williams fate. Make no mistake. Back in the day he was a man to be cautious of, no doubt, his peers have said so. The important questions is, who is Stanley 25 years later. A man who has championed anti-gang violence for the past ten years. If we are to believe in redemption, why wasnt it extended to him? A question others must answer, not me.
My question is what do we do now, where do we go from here? Will his death help, or hurt us. It has become a dilemma of major proportions. When so many inner-city men look up to an OG (original gangster) like this one, with respect and admiration, how do we convince them not to be bitter? Its a question I have to ask myself. After all, they live in my neighborhoods and Ive seen them die. Always asking why? Sons killed, families destroyed, futures lost, why? For what good purpose? What does Stanleys execution say to them?
Do not believe it will be a deterrent, it wont. They are not afraid to die when they live with it every day, sometimes seeing their friends killed right in front of them. Talk about desensitized. How can we convince them to put the gun down and pick up a book? It almost sounds like a joke.
As someone raised by the village (before we lost it), the foundation of the minds back then were fueled by hope. We had nothing else. Today it looks like our young men dont know what that means. Their willingness to die, for nothing worthwhile, is verification. Bling is not something to die for. Gangster music has it twisted. There is no glory in a Black man killing someone who looks like him. It is an absolute disgrace to the history of our struggles to survive in this country that originally enslaved our forefathers and foremothers. It is a disgrace to every Black man who was tarred and feathered, castrated, and lynched, for any one of us to kill ourselves this way. It is a disgrace to the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. It is a disgrace for us to be the instruments of our own genocide.
I am tired of trying to answer for the generations following mine. It is yours fueling this hate, destruction, and despair. My question is what are you going to do about it?
I am tired of this war and dont want to fight it anymore without your support. Since the Hip-Hop culture is the future, Ive come to you for answers. Let us know when youre ready to step forward. Well be waiting for you to tell us what you intend to do. In the meantime, do us a favor, stop fueling the justice system by going to prison. At least that way, Stanley won't have died in vain.
Sister (Soldier) Lita Herron, Mothers On the March, South Los Angeles
