Former gang leader and co-founder of 'The Crips' Stanley Tookie Williams was executed in CA today. After Governer Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to give him clemency. Williams died at age 51 after serving 24 yrs for murdering several people in cold blood back in 1981. While in prison, he seemed to regret his criminal life and wrote children's books that discouraged violence and told kids not to get involved in gangs. He was nominated 2 different times for a literary Nobel Peace Prize.
In denying clemency to Williams, Schwarzenegger wrote "Is Williams' redemption complete and sincere, or is it just a hollow promise?". "Without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings, there can be no redemption." He went on to say the evidence of William's guilt was “strong and compelling,” and he dismissed suggestions that the trial was unfair. The governor also noted that Williams dedicated his 1998 book “Life in Prison” to a list of figures that included the black militant George Jackson — “a significant indicator that Williams is not reformed and that he still sees violence and lawlessness as a legitimate means to address societal problems.” Schwarzenegger also noted that there is “little mention or atonement in his writings and his plea for clemency of the countless murders committed by the Crips following the lifestyle Williams once espoused. The senseless killing that has ruined many families, particularly in African-American communities, in the name of the Crips and gang warfare is a tragedy of our modern culture.”
Who can say whether someone's redemption is "sincere"? Only God knows the heart. In my opinion, Williams clearly & consistently demonstrated that he was a changed man. I agree that gang warfare is a tragedy, but this judgement seems a bit self-righteous coming from 'The Terminator' himself- an actor whose films are intensely violent! Sorry, I like Schwarzenegger, but let's be consistent here. Arnold earned his celebrity and made his millions promoting senseless violence for the last 2 decades while Williams is in prison paying for his crimes and writing children's books about peace... yet Arnold is the one with the power over this man's life? The angry Pro-death crowds outside the prison wanted Williams to die for his actions, but many of them gladly paid $6 a seat to be entertained by Arnold's action and they even made him their Governer. Go figure! True, Arnold was just acting, but how many copy-cat crimes have come into play because of his shoot-em-up influence? How many children will avoid the tragedy of violence because of Mr. Williams influence?? Rest in peace, Tookie- you took it like a man. God is watching this circus and all things will be revealed in the end... justice will be served without prejudice....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
That was a sad moment for me too. I honestly have never given too much thought to the death penalty. but hearing this story I just couldn't imagine what good it would do to put that man to death when he was doing so much good right now in this world.
I'm glad you took the time to write about Tookie and the irony of Arnold's decision. You should be proud of yourself for speaking out, stating your moral objection and supporting the good that Tookie was trying to do. A society without forgiveness and without the ability to allow people to redeem themselves isn't much of a society.
Post a Comment