Tookie Williams
The co-founder of the Crips street gang shows his true colors
Apart from winning an appeal or walking the green mile, there aren't many ways to make the headlines from death row. But last November, Stanley "Tookie" Williams, infamous co-founder of the Crips street gang, saw himself on the nightly news: The San Quentin inmate had been nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize by a member of the Swiss Parliament.
Williams, now 47, was sentenced to death in 1981 for four robbery-related murders. The Crips -- which he and a friend started in South Central Los Angeles in 1971 -- had already spread to cities throughout the United States, and copycat gangs would soon crop up in South Africa and Switzerland as well.
Williams experienced a "reawakening" in 1993 and has since tried to whittle away at the burden of his violent legacy, one word at a time. He's written Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence, a series of eight readers aimed at urban youth, and Life in Prison, a biography detailing the isolation and despair of death row. In collaboration with his editor, Barbara Cottman Becnel, Williams also started the Internet Project for Street Peace, which links teens from the industrial, largely black town of Richmond, California, with peers in Switzerland, teaching them computer literacy and encouraging them to share their experiences in avoiding street violence.
Mother Jones spoke to Williams by phone about his nomination, his work for children, and his life in San Quentin.
Mother Jones: How did you start writing for troubled kids?
Tookie Williams: Let's just say I was inspired to write children's books, but without blood and gore. You see, the first publishing company that contacted me, they wanted the gore, the foul language. But see, I don't curse. All these things they wanted are things that I had actually transformed from. Why should I rehash something that was negative? If you're going to teach a child, teach him properly. I apprised [editor] Barbara [Cottman Becnel] that I wanted to write children's books. Life in Prison, that's self-explanatory -- being in here. I wanted to deglamorize this place because this is ridiculous. No child would ever want to end up in here. So any stories that they heard -- I wanted to debunk that.
MJ: And the Internet project?
TW: I had been hearing a lot about computers. Admittedly, I've never had a computer because we aren't allowed to have such things. But I found out that children were interested in computers. The program teaches individuals to become computer literate, but it also teaches leadership and communication skills with other youth.
MJ: Anger is at the core of a lot of street violence. How do your projects address that?
TW: That anger that we talk about is self-hate. On a daily basis these youngsters digest negative stereotypes about blacks, and eventually they end up believing them and acting them out in life. That's basically what happened to me. My books, they are about instilling confidence, trying to convince youngsters that they have the potential to succeed in life, and that they don't have to succumb to the stereotypes.
MJ: Do you think you can be a role model from death row?
TW: For me, there was never an individual there that I could empathize with when I was growing up. If there had been an individual like myself who had actually experienced the madness and then came back and said, "Hey, look, this is not what you want to do," I know I would have done better.
MJ: What effect did writing the books have on you?
TW: For me it was redemption, an act of atonement. Something that I could give back. Because let's face it, myself and others in the gang life have done nothing but destroy the community.
MJ: You say your reawakening began when you were sent to The Hole in 1993. Can you talk about your transformation?
TW: I unchained my mind, and I did so through prayers and extensive study. I had to seriously question whether I was a human or a beast. In choosing not to be a beast, I discovered my humanity. I became autodidactic, self-educated -- a critical thinker.
MJ: Do you think you would have had the same transformation if you'd had a life sentence rather than a death sentence?
TW: I would like to think so. We all know this place is potentially volatile and hopeless... I mean, this place -- looking in it or being in it -- is a place of doom. All right? This is where one's past continues to haunt you. This place can either make you go mad or convince you to become a better person.
MJ: Do you believe you've been effective in turning back the tide of gang violence?
TW: There is no one elixir that can resolve the madness that's going on out there. But I believe that what I'm doing and what I've done has helped individuals. It has more effect on the youngsters, because they have a better chance of growing up into responsible adults.
MJ: What did the Nobel nomination mean to you?
TW: I couldn't have perceived such an honor being bestowed upon me. Having been nominated is simply mind-shattering.
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i dont beleive in the death penalty. i dont believe in taking lives. in a country that was founded on the beliefs of the bible, i dont understand how we allow the government or any other ofiicials to misconscrew the bible to mean what we want it to mean or to justify our sins when it is convient for us. God is a forgiving God. Tookie Williams should not have been put to death along with countless others who have lost their lives to this wicked government. Judge not less ye be judged. God has the final say. dont get it twisted those who take lives be it lawfully or not the blood will be applied to your hands in the end. REPENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How in the hell should some one from a different country come and tell one they have to die with out know their back ground
Everone make mistake, but we dont get death penalty for it. If that the case you should get on death row because you kill Tookie because he didnt die on his own
Our band, Diablo's Dust, has written a song entitled "Eye For An Eye" in honor of Tookie Williams and all those who are murdered by the death penalty. Please visit our site to take a listen: www.myspace.com/diablosdust.
Those who have experienced the bottomlist pit knows what it feels like to be unaccepted and let down by many who have the power to nurture a situation by coming with the true solution to heal.
Brother Williams, utilized the gifted spirit to give back based on the principle laws of the Holy Spirit to be a guide even in the darkest cornors of the earth.
Those who part-took in the execution of our Brother, were truly intimidated by his strength. This is a situation that have plague our urban communities for numerous of years. Out of fear those who are in political power want many minorites mentally dead, in prison, disoriented from their families and cancelled to poverty.
it"s not right to kill someone just because that person killed tookie should have lived. let GOD,be the judge of that.
i strongly believe that tookie had changed and he def. shouldnt have been given the death penalty! i read some of his books and they made me think alot about him and the good he has done for people. (with the books) i know he made a mistake, but we all do sometimes and we dont get killed for them. the gov. is all wrong with some of their beliefs and now tookie is with god who is the real judge of people. god bless tookie and all the others who have been sentenced to the death penalty!!!
I do not belienve that Tookie Williams should not have been put to dealth. I do beilive that what he did was wrong, but i do not agree with dealth penalty, I think that if Tookie has any children, or a mother, or father still living they should sew the state of California for that. It was clearly seen that he had a change of heart. I really only see 1 thing in that racism!!!!!!
After killing 4 people and probably more that are unknown, he then wanted to be HUMAN!
This man killed 4 innocent people and now he wants others to believe he has changed! I'm sorry, but I don't buy it! I do believe in the death penalty!!! People may not realize how hurtful it is to loss a loved one to unneccessary volence until it has happened to them. I never got to meet my aunt because she was murdered, stuffed in the closet, and left there to decay! No one can tell me that some crimes are not worth the dealth penalty. Think of the families and what hey have to go through. Think about the fact that that person could still be here today, if it wasn't for that no sense. Tookie deserved what he got, and I do not that he was sorry, or that he changed. If he had of been let back on the streets, he olds ways, I'm sure, would have resurfaced.
THE DEAL PENALTY SHOULD BE STOP BECAUSE ,THEY JUST WANT NIGGA IN CRIP DEAD BECAUSE, THEY OVER THE WORLD. THEY DON'T KNOW THEY JUST MADE THING BAD
C UP CUZ
r.i.p tookie only god can judge u now
this right here goes to anonymous...Tookie didnt killed those people he was set up by the very people he trusted the most..They even Bogard before tookiie went on trial to kept his mouth shut
I love Tookie.I always wanten to be a crip,and live the savage life.SO I stared to bang crips,and live the savage life.And I loved that life.But I hade got in trooble and got to the point where my mom dont wont me.So I started to look up tookie and chand.
I think that it wasnt fair for the death penalty. He was making a change in the world, It takes alot to make up what you started and thats what Tookie tried to do and that wasnt called for because all he was doing was trying to make a difference and look out for people and that takes a Big Heart
-Much Love-
I am feeling sorry for those who can't forgive. The darkness and anger you carry in your own heart. You must ask your self, if you saw Tookie on the street what would you do? Even wishing another person dead puts a black mark on your own heart. I am not saying that Tookie should have been freed from jail, but to kill some one who wants to help stop young ones from following in his steps and killing others, just doesn't make sense to me. What does that teach our young people? It doesn't matter what you do good, once you've done something bad, give up there is no use in changing. As for not admitting to the killings and not repenting for the four murders, he was probably instructed by lawyers not to talk about them. You don't ever have to forget to forgive. Now that Tookie is no longer with us, how many murders will there be that "MAY" have been prevented by intervention on some part by Tookie. I am sorry that he is no longer with us. I am sorry for those who suffered at his hands. I am also sorry those who Tookie could have helped. Some times some people have to be put to death; was Stan Tookie Williams one of those people? I don't think so. Should he have recieved a Nobel Piece Prize? Why not? Get past the nager and read for your selves what Stan Tookie Williams had written. Please. He is no longer with us, what can it hurt?
tookie did a lot of things for the kids and he will never be forgotten for that R.I.P tookie, you made a mistake and God forgives you.
youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul suck ass
i think tookie should have got what he deserved which was execution but at the same time he did not have any1 to count on he had a horrible lfe wit no support not to say that that makes it right but i believe he knew better than to likk somone i dont know
hey and i also think that people talk alot of game when there in jail becuz they can that dont mean that they really gonna do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really enjoyed the book but think it could of been better and you could of told a little more about the
executionof Stanely Tookie Willams but all out it was a very good book good job 'tookie'
I think that tookie was right for founding the crips because in this world you can't walk alone.
I believe that God is a forgiving God. And yes the bible does say do not kill. But I also believe that this government is somewhat unfair, I think that at the end the bad one's will be the one who answer to God.
stan tookie would have been good help
but its done. for me I use to be are crip but i found the lord an he help
me change around my life for me you dont hate him you hate what he has done and you give him a chance to rethink on wat he has done ok god bless and god speed.
How about giving the Nobel Peace Prize to a police officer who risks his or her life to keep the peace in the neighborhoods ravaged by Crips and Bloods, Folk and People, Sur 13 and Nortenos???
How many more gangsters and war criminals are going to be nominated for this award?
I think Tookie williams was awesome he turned his life around i mean u really didn't have 2 kill him i'm not saying he was innocent cuz he wasn't but still
Tookie made a book while he was n da pin and erbody and day momma make miskates so wat we gone get da death penality 2 yall know yall f****d ^up
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Part of his life was violent. The last part was trying to change himself and others. If he asked God for mercy, then he will have mercy.I do think think he had to pay for his crimes. And he did. With his life.
when i went to seventh grade thats when i first learned about tookie i really do thin that he is guilty of what he did but even though he killed 4 different people california should not of executed him
when he was just 10 he got beat up so then he started hanging with a group. they were gang bangers. he had to fight to survive so he killed people he had a very hard life his childhood wasnt that great but that expains why he did the things that he did. californnia was wrong for doing what he did.
Wow, i really can't believe how raw and rough u got it. Death row is really something else. One of my teachers was so mad that he wanted to write a letter, u did all u could to do and still nothing changed i wish i could have said or done something about, bout i was to young and i still am too young. Now i know u reformed and found a better way in prison, but they took it to far(death row for four people that just insane) compared to what people do, and they don't get what they really deserve, it ridiculous. I know u could have made a difference after prison, and could have convinced the kids and adults to change their mind about how they want to live their life and u could have found Jesus(not that u haven't already have)but i believed that u would have made a big difference.
CCCCWWOOOOPP!!!1
I 6ang Dat C All Day
Before I started this research for my class i can honestly say that I was for the death penalty,especially since my brother was also murdererd,I mean if I was to know who that person was I would want them to be punished. But after researching Tookie I now have mixed feelings on whether the death penalty should or shouldn't be allowed.Though Tookie may have done horrible things in his oast the fact that he learned from his mistakes,and changed his life around and even tried to steer his community in abetter direction shows the that he is not the same person who convicted these crimes..Unfortantly those who life can not give it back,and he is in abetter palce now.
Im Studing Stanley "Tookie" wiliams for an assinment in school.... and im only 14 , i compleatly understand the death penatly and such punishments. The Death Penalty is inhumane.
I believe that everyone in this world deserves a second chance. if being a murderer is against the law then how come the exacutioner isnt given the death penalty himself?... because he's murdering each and every single person that is on death row , near enought...
Let People Have a second chance!!
LET THEM REPENT FOR THERE SINS !!
A [deleted] all yall hater that ni66a didn't do none of that [deleted] th3y claming h3 did he innocent i m3an only God^ knows the truth So [deleted] the prosecuters and Arnold [deleted]ing Swhzni66a
