Blue Rage, Black Redemption: A Memoir [Paperback]

Stanley Tookie Williams (Author), Barbara Becnel (Epilogue), Tavis Smiley (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2007

A gripping tale of personal revolution by a man who went from Crips co-founder to Nobel Peace Prize nominee, author, and antigang activist

When his L.A. neighborhood was threatened by gangbangers, Stanley Tookie Williams and a friend formed the Crips, but what began as protection became worse than the original gangs. From deadly street fights with their rivals to drive-by shootings and stealing cars, the Crips' influence -- and Tookie's reputation -- began to spread across L.A. Soon he was regularly under police surveillance, and, as a result, was arrested often, though always released because the charges did not stick. But in 1981, Tookie was convicted of murdering four people and was sent to death row at San Quentin in Marin County, California.

Tookie maintained his innocence and began to work in earnest to prevent others from following his path. Whether he was creating nationwide peace protocols, discouraging adolescents from joining gangs, or writing books, Tookie worked tirelessly for the rest of his life to end gang violence. Even after his death, his legacy continues, supported by such individuals as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Snoop Dogg, Jesse Jackson, and many more.

This posthumous edition of Blue Rage, Black Redemption features a foreword by Tavis Smiley and an epilogue by Barbara Becnel, which details not only the influence of Tookie's activism but also her eyewitness account of his December 2005 execution, and the inquest that followed.

By turns frightening and enlightening, Blue Rage, Black Redemption is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and an invaluable lesson in how rage can be turned into redemption.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tookie learned the hard way that belonging to a gang is not smart. I salute him for his courage and determination to overcome his circumstances." -- Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

"Some of the most vital peacemakers arise out of the very heart of the most destructive spaces. Tookie's story is proof of this." -- Luis Rodriguez, author of Always Running

About the Author

Stanley Tookie Williams, activist and author, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times and the Nobel Prize in literature four times. He is the only man in history to be nominated while imprisoned. He was executed in 2005.

Tavis Smiley is a nationally known intellectual, activist, political commentator, entrepreneur, and radio and television personality.  He founded the ground-breaking and historic State of the Black Union series.  Mr. Smiley has authored several best-selling books, including The Covenant and The Covenant in Action.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416544496
• ISBN-13: 978-1416544494
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Crime & Criminals  > Gangs
  • #79 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Regional U.S. > West

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars BLUE RAGE- A HISTORICAL JOURNEY, August 13, 2005

By 

T. Jenkins "Serious" (West of Medical Center, South of Highland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Rage, Black Redemption: A Memoir (Paperback)

Tookie Williams seeks to set the record straight as to the origins of the Crips and the true founders of the gang. Williams spends a considerable amount of time detailing the fictional accounts of the gang which have emerged over the years. Some of which have been offered up to improve the credibility or support some project the authors of such stories were involved with. As should be expected of a man in his position, the stories are muted in concern to the violence committed by Tookie himself and he takes it to the limit declaring he had a strong dislike of guns and refused to have them around him. His telling of his relationship with Curtis Morrow 'Mr. Buddha' was excellent and at times strangely touching. Much remains to be said of the legacy Mr. Williams will foster out of his professed redemption, but this is a much better telling than any of the previous works offered on the formation of the crips.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An insight and education you won't find in any school, February 25, 2006

By 

Angel Higuera (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Rage, Black Redemption: A Memoir (Paperback)

This book is seperated into two sections. The first half being, Blue Rage and the second, Black redemption. Their's different titled chapters compiled into each section. The first half of the book is about Stan's life from being a child in Lousiana until he gets arrested in South Central Los Angeles in 1979 for the four murders he was convicted of commiting. The second half is about his educational and spiritual transition in prison along with certain events and situations.

Stanley's views are extremly intresting and worth thinking about with an open mind. Things like his views about what "dys-education" is, religeon, brotherhood, spirituality, drugs, cultural education and it's importance.

His thoughts about his friend's Buddah, Evil and Treach are sad, and even uplifting at times. His educational studies on death row with Treach and Evil along with his exercising disiplines are very thought provoking also.

We outside of prison seem to be getting a school-based education for the sake of financial success. Stan can't do that. His transition is based on studies we need to perform here in our daily lives along with our children.

This book is not your typical urban-entertainment about being a gangster or a rap song compiled into book-form. This is a very articulated insight into the cycle of poverty, racism, violence, redemption, edification, transition and enlightenment.

A must read for everyone.

Rest in peace Stan. I miss you.

39 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rest in Peace Stanley Tookie Williams, December 14, 2005

By 

R. Woods "Ms Woods" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Rage, Black Redemption: A Memoir (Paperback)

I went onto this review page hoping to read some genuine feedback about the book, not read personal judgements and opinions regarding the author.

The law also states that people who witness a murder are equally responsible for the person who actually committed the crime. So those of you that have hate in your heart and wish death on Tookie Williams, better be prepared to answer for your actions/involvement as well.

God has not given us authority to pass judgement on anyone. And there is no sin greater than the next, be it murder, lying , stealing, adultery....whatever. When you get to the pearly gates, God is not going to say...oh you just cheated on your wife no big deal...or you only told a little white lie. No each one of us will be judged the same. And more than our sins He will judge our hearts intent, and what we did with our time here on earth.

By the looks of these "reviews", many of you are simply wasting your time on earth judging other people, and wishing death on another human being. I bet none of you can name one thing that you've done personally to make a difference in our society. Gimme a break! If there was no such thing as redemption we wouldn't be here as a human race. We are redeemed each day we wake up and get another chance at life.

Stanley Tookie Williams died with integrity and at peace. He refused a special meal. He declined final words. And He maintained his innocence to his last breath as he should have. He knows and God knows what his involvement was, if any in those crimes for. And I really feel sorry for the individuals that orchestrated the execution, from the person that inserted the first needle, to the witnesses in the room...but especially Arnold....They all have Tookie's blood on their hands.