Stanley "Tookie" Williams

A friend asked me Monday why did I not do a posting about the execution of Stanley "Tookie" Williams. I told her that I had to put my thoughts in on this one.

In the days leading into Monday, the news has been saturated with "Tookie". From celebrities pleading for mercy to the usual protesters of capital execution. Let me go point to point on the many facets of this event. While reading this, ask yourself one question, through out all the news coverage, who were the four lives taken in 1979 that brought "Tookie" to his last walk?

Stanley "Tookie" Williams
He co-founded the Crips, a street gang that is partially responsible for thousands of deaths and crime activities in the city of Los Angeles, across the nation, and as far as South Africa. What makes this different from the Gambino and Gotti crime families on the east coast? He created a monster of an organization that has plagued life for millions in Southern California and parts of the nation. For that alone, he should serve life in prison. Most Crime bosses have gotten the same. Add to that, he killed four people in a two day period. Four lives extinguished with no thought or remorse. In my eyes, that guarantees an automatic death penalty sentence. Gotta go, gotta go ...

During his time in prison, he has become remorseful for his gang activity and has renounced it. He wrote childrens' books discouraging gangs. He was nominated for a Nobel Peace prize. The question one must ask, would this change of heart came about if he was not incarcerated? The victims of his crime can not make no such change of heart because they are no longer with us. Has anyone mentioned them in any of the news articles? It is more interesting to focus on the criminal than the people who have suffered.

The Celebrities
Like me, they have an opinion. The differnce between me and celebrities is when they express it they have a media outlet at their disposal. I tried to get time on Fox and CNN, but they have not answered my emails or phone calls. Also, is their efforts real or self serving? (see Rev. Jesse Jackson) It is easy to rely on their fan base to further their causes, but do they understand the issue enough to become an authority on the matter? When all is said and done, what makes him difference from anyone else in prison or on death row? Everyone in prison has committed a crime (and some feel they are innocent) and was sentenced for it. Some have made retribution for their sins and have reformed. Why not champion their causes also?

Rev. Jesse Jackson
If there is a camera pointed to a high profile cause, expect Rev. Jackson to be present for some face time. At one time, he was a hero of mine. An extrimarital affair and using his foundation funds, Operation PUSH, to pay for her silence, tends to make me rethink who my heroes are. Everything since then seems like damage control and self promoting. Well Rev. Jackson, there is another death row execution coming up and I hear he is hispanic. Should we save some space on the mic podium?

The Protesters
Until it happens to your family or love ones, you are aganist capital punishment and disregard the victims. When it hits home, I hope you feel just as strong. To the news media, please find one among them that is a little more articulate and can present their point of view.

The forgotten victims ... Lest we not forget
Albert Owens, Tsai-Shai Yang, Yen-I Yang, and Yee Chen Lin

Tribute to a great man

Richard Pryor 1940 - 2005

Saturday, the world lost a comedic genius. Anyone that has ever stood in front of an audience with a mic and told a joke, owes this man for setting the path. From Eddie Murphy to Chris Rock, Richard Pryor set the bar so high that others can only reach with their fingertips.

Today's comic use profanity for shock value. Richard Pryor used it for shock, but from the shock came a realization and thought through laughter.

When I was in Africa, this voice came to me and said, "Richard, what do you
see?" I said, I see all types of people." The voice said, "But do you see
any
niggers?" I said, "No." It said, "Do you know why? 'Cause there aren't
any.

Richard Pryor was an excellent story teller. When he retold the story of his accident, you were laughing even though it was a tragic event. That was the magic Richard Pryor. As kids, me and my older cousin would sneak in the back room during family gatherings and listen to his old albums, silently snickering at every joke. One of the greatest gifts my mother ever gave me was a collection of his cassettes one summer. I would go out on my great grandparent's porch and listen to him over and over again. It never got old.

So in remembrance of Richard Pryor, focus only on the laughter. In the words of his character Mudbone, "... get some sunshine on your face."

I am O.K. ... deal with it

The other day at work, someone asked, "How was I doing?" I responded, "I'm O.k.", to which that person responded by saying "I hope you do better" (in so many words). I was left angry and confused by the remark. My girlfriend said I should pay it no mind. Me being me, that would not happen.

I looked up the definition for o.k. Merriam-Webster defines the term o.k. as all right. This means that there is nothing wrong. Knowing this, the question comes to mind as to where does this person get off saying otherwise?

In all my life, when people ask how I am doing, my response has been o.k. and it was well recieved. Lately people are looking for other responses such as "I am well", "I am doing great", and the ultra sweet "super" (as used by Big Gay Al from "South Park") as a way of conveying that one is doing well. I do not know what response would have suffice this individual, but life is too short to try to find the correct answer to the $64,000 question on how I am doing.

I will continue to be o.k. and others will have to deal with it.