Blue Rage, Black Redemption: A Memoir (Paperback)

by Stanley Tookie Williams (Author)
Key Phrases: swamp boys, driving iron, Black Redemption, Los Angeles, San Quentin (more...)

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 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
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. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 371 pages
• Publisher: Damamli Publishing Company (March 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975358405
• ISBN-13: 978-0975358405
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #237,279 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 88 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

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.

30 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lets get a few things straight...., December 18, 2005

By	Jizzy B "JWM" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

Many people have a tendency to speak about things that they have no prior info about the subject. I see that is the case here. here are the facts.

-For over 25 years, even to is death, Tookie denies killing those 4 people.

-Tookie has apologiezed for creating the crips.

-He has tried to undo what he helped create by writing books.

[Why he should have been saved]

Tookie didn't want clemecy because he thought it was a better punishment for him. He wanted it so he couls continue his work. I am a "At-Risk" teenager, and I personally would listen to the creator of the crips about gangs, rather than listen to some white guy in a tie. Even if he did do the crimes that he was charged with, who are we to say he deserves to die? Last time I checked, someone named God makes those decisions.

10 of 13 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 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.