In 1979, Stanley "Tookie" Williams created the largest street gang in Los Angeles. His L.A. Crip set smothered Watts and South Central under a blanket of fear. It was Crips gang members who murdered four people in a grocery store robbery. Being the founding father, Williams got convicted on first-degree, murder charges. Early last year, after several Death Row stays, he was finally executed.

When he went to prison, Williams came in as a predator. His crimes were brutal. However, during twenty-plus years incarcerated, he authored children books, his own autobiography "Redemption" and counseled youths about the dangers of gangs. Williams's efforts prevented a generation of black adolescents dying on L.A. streets. He saved thousands. The Nobel Peace Prize nominated the former, gang leader five times. He entered San Quentin prison as an animal. He died on Death Row an angel.

America killed their best chance at slowing nationwide, gang recruitment. Celebrities such as actor, Danny Glover and rap mogul, Snoop Dogg pleaded for another stay. Why was Williams executed? What did his death serve?

Of course, his victims deserved retribution. The thousands of dead and injured blamed him for starting the gang scourge. While in prison, he discovered the cycle of young, black males serving long stints behind bars. These black males had no fathers to teach them manhood. They came from single-mother homes. Their upbringings were hardscrabble at best. The streets were an easy lure.

Williams did create a violent, street gang. But, he didn't create the bloodletting crack unleashed during the mid-80s hood wars. During the L.A. riots of 1992, he called for a nationwide gang truce between Crips and the rival Bloods. So why was Williams executed?

Death sentences are for murderers with no remorse. Williams spent his last twenty years trying to save young black males from extinction. He taught young men to take responsibility for their actions and their community. He taught young men to take ownership of their lives and be productive citizens in society. He was bettering the African-American race. He was executed because of that.

Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Did Stanley Tookie, a Nobel Prize winner, deserve to be executed??
We want to hear your view. Write now!