This may veer off the main theme of the Black entertainment a bit, but I feel it fits and should be said. In a press release by AP NEWS on Yahoo, supporters of Stanley Tookie Williams are working to have Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger give clemency before his execution Dec 13th. For those not familiar with Mr. Williams, he is a co-founder of the Crips gang. The Crips have grown from being a city-wide gang into a truly nation-wide gang. In movies and in life the gang is known for drug dealing, murders and various other crimes and illegal activity. Mr. Williams was convicted for killing 4 people in 1979, which he denies having committed.
Since his incarceration, Mr. Williams has seen the errors of his ways and has actively sought out ways to prevent the youth of the nation from joining gangs. He has also authored nine books and created a program linking youths in the US with those abroad. He has been submitted for Nobel peace and literature prizes several times.
Mr. Williams was the subject of a movie, on FX in 2004, which starred Jaime Foxx and Lynn Whitfield. Both are now supporters, along with Mike Farrell, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bianca Jagger, Snoop Dogg, Harry Belafonte, Bonnie Raitt, Russell Crowe, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and many others.
To be blunt, Mr. Williams needs to be executed. I do not question whether Mr. Williams has reformed. I believe (to the best of my knowledge having never met) the opinions of Mr. Foxx, Ms. Whitfield and everyone else mentioned. I applaud the actions that Mr. Williams has made to correct his earlier actions. I can understand how those opposed to the death penalty (Mr. Farrell, Rev. Jackson and Tutu, et al.) would find this man as an example of someone trying to redeem themselves. I understand the strong support that is in the Black Community for this man. And I repeat, he must be executed.
The fact that some public figures (I do not imply any of the above individuals in this statement as I do not know all of their reasons or past actions in such a matter) are on the bandwagon with those who want to truly stand by their convictions as stated in the article by Lora Owens is not my reason. Nor that Hollywood figures may or may not have any influence with Gov. Schwarzenegger. Equally without regard are the actions Mr. Williams has made after his incarceration.
The facts are that Mr. Williams, by his own admission, created an organization that exists to promote drug use, numerous illegal activites, and place innocent citizens across the country in fear of their lives. During his time in that organization, Mr. Williams committed illegal acts that included the planning and commission of violent crimes. That could be conspiracy to commit murder, as he facilitated and promoted an organization whose members in fact enacted the murders (I'm not a lawyer so if that is leagally incorrect I will note it upon being presented such a fact). Those who committed murder for, or died as a consequence of using, drugs should also be a factor. How many lives are still being affected by the actions he has set in motion. He must be held accountable for this. Perhaps it is not fair to place accountability for current actions on Mr. Williams but the question of that still exists.
I do appreciate that fact that many have strong convictions and stand by them, famous or not. Mr. Williams is an example of a person who wants to correct what he has done wrong (as best as I can understand without knowing or speaking with him). The fact that famous personalities are doing so is neither a benefit nor hinderance, if and where those feelings are sincere. They are Americans (mostly) and expressing themselves just as I am. But accountability for actions taken is just that.
Fame is no excuse for bad actions, nor is it a reason for clemency. The law makes no provision (to my knowledge) for redemption. And what is the redemption for lives that have been destroyed or taken? Entertainers, like myself, are not lawyers, judges nor part of the jury that convicted Mr. Williams. No one has questioned his guilt or his continued incarceration. That being said if he is guilty and deserves to be punished, and the law has stated that the maximum punishment is death for that guilt, and such maximum punishment has be given to him, it must be enacted.
What do you think?
1 comment:
Stanley Tookie Williams should not receive an special treatments regaurding his incarceration. Turning his life around and trying to put the word out about kids not joining gangs, is not enough. I see it as the damage is already done, trying to reach out to the young youth now is always helpful, but doesnt change the minds of those already in gangs, killing, stealing, and doing harm to others to gain popularity within thier "family gang". Many people in jail have reformed thier ways it doesnt change what they did , the pain they caused. To send a strong message of we wont take this anymore i believe he should set a bigger example and be executed for what crimes he committed. In my opinion it shouldnt matter what race the person is, you do something wrong pay for it.
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