Stanley Williams

Tookie was born on December 29th 1953, in New Orleans Charity Hospital. "I entered the world kicking and screaming in a caesarean ritual of blood and scalpels, said Williams." Tookie explains that his 17 year old mother was deprived of anesthetics as her torso was slit from sternum to pubic bone. He says to distract her from succumbing to the pain, that she sung a Christmas carol "Silent Night."

Williams death warrant was signed in early November of 2005, if not earlier. His execution date was on December 13th 2005. He was co-founder of the west coast street gang, the crips. But he has fully repented for all of his wrong doings and has made contributions to fighting violence, drug and gang related issues. He has won a Nobel prize in literature all in which he received from jail. Ever see a movie entitled "Redemption" starring Jamie Foxx, this was all about Tokkie.
Stanley later talks about life inside South Central Los Angeles. "These hustlers would bet on just about anything - even who could spit, urinate, or throw a rock the farthest. I have witnessed cockfights, cricket fights, even fish fights, and pay - per - view street fights between individuals from 6 to 50 years og age, said Williams."

Later he explains the gang as a family. "I was beginning to understand that my experiences with the dysfunctional status quo of the prison culture as well as drug addition, poverty, gangsterism, racism, and other roadblocks had become the excuses that defined my life. My being, be dictated by blind ignorance. Nor would I ever again allow the excuse of circumstance to dictate who I should be. It was daily studying and questioning that prompted my soul searching. I began to develop a sense of critical reasoning from which sprang the first stirring of conscience. This was the most moment when redemption infused itself into my eyes, finished Williams."

I have to say I was saddened to hear that the California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the ok so to speak for the execution of Williams. The poor man has been in prison for years, now they finally decide to kill him. After he already changed his life around and tried to make the best of what he had. Willing himself to make all of his crookeds straight. Now you want to come around and take a life. Yes I am very much aware of that fact that he was guilty for fout murders back in the 70's. And nothing and no one can bring those lost back, but killing the man who committed the crimes solves nothing. I'm sure the family members of those who were lost still feel the same way they did 30 + years ago.

Tookie wrote children books as well as literature. Winning a Nobel prize as I mentioned earlier. You know changed his whole life around, and became humble. To go and just end all those good qualities that not all of us have is unfortunate. The United States criminal justice system in my opinion should revise and edit their current policies and conditions. An eye for an eye was back in the bible old testament. Not saying that we should stop all capital punishment but to be lenient when necessary.

Below is a written apology made by Tookie Williams himself.

The Apology

Twenty-five years ago when I created the Crips youth gang with Raymond Lee Washington in South Central Los Angeles, I never imagined Crips membership would one day spread throughout California, would spread to much of the rest of the nation and to cities in South Africa, where Crips copycat gangs have formed. I also didn't expect the Crips to end up ruining the lives of so many young people, especially young black men who have hurt other young black men.
Raymond was murdered in 1979. But if he were here, I believe he would be as troubled as I am by the Crips legacy.

So today I apologize to you all -- the children of America and South Africa -- who must cope every day with dangerous street gangs. I no longer participate in the so-called gangster lifestyle, and I deeply regret that I ever did.

As a contribution to the struggle to end child-on-child brutality and black-on-black brutality, I have written the Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence children's book series. My goal is to reach as many young minds as possible to warn you about the perils of a gang lifestyle.

I am no longer "dys-educated" (disease educated). I am no longer part of the problem. Thanks to the Almighty, I am no longer sleepwalking through life.
I pray that one day my apology will be accepted. I also pray that your suffering, caused by gang violence, will soon come to an end as more gang members wake up and stop hurting themselves and others.

I vow to spend the rest of my life working toward solutions.

Amani (Peace),
Stanley "Tookie" Williams, Surviving Crips Co-Founder,
April 13, 1997