(no subject)
Stanly "Tookie" Williams is scheduled to be executed
by the State of California on December 13.
Tookie was one of the founders of the Crips gang in
Los Angeles; he grew up in poverty, without
opportunity, and took his leadership skills in a
negative direction. A direction that, as a teacher, I
can see many of the youth that I meet going with their
brilliance and creativity because our state and
country does not give them the support that they need
to come out of the violence and poverty that surrounds
them.
Since his activities with the Crips, Tookie has turned
into a "Peacemaker". He has been nominated five times
for the Nobel Peace Prize and was given the 2005
Presidential Call to Service Award for the powerful
work he has done in writing and creating a film for
inner-city youth about moving away from gang life and
violence. His work has lead to the transformation of
the lives of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands
of youth.
His death would be a travesty to youth throughout
California growing up in poverty and violence as it
would show them that there is no hope in turning their
lives around, in getting out of their current
situation. It would kill someone who means
life and hope to many of them.
In life we all make mistakes and go down wrong paths.
It is the strongest and most brave of us who are able
to recognize a wrong direction and make things right.
Let us make a decision to allow a man to live, to
continue a life inspiring others to live in a way of
peace and light, to help us believe in something
better.
To get involved in the struggle to save Tookie's life
go to www.savetookie.org .
by the State of California on December 13.
Tookie was one of the founders of the Crips gang in
Los Angeles; he grew up in poverty, without
opportunity, and took his leadership skills in a
negative direction. A direction that, as a teacher, I
can see many of the youth that I meet going with their
brilliance and creativity because our state and
country does not give them the support that they need
to come out of the violence and poverty that surrounds
them.
Since his activities with the Crips, Tookie has turned
into a "Peacemaker". He has been nominated five times
for the Nobel Peace Prize and was given the 2005
Presidential Call to Service Award for the powerful
work he has done in writing and creating a film for
inner-city youth about moving away from gang life and
violence. His work has lead to the transformation of
the lives of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands
of youth.
His death would be a travesty to youth throughout
California growing up in poverty and violence as it
would show them that there is no hope in turning their
lives around, in getting out of their current
situation. It would kill someone who means
life and hope to many of them.
In life we all make mistakes and go down wrong paths.
It is the strongest and most brave of us who are able
to recognize a wrong direction and make things right.
Let us make a decision to allow a man to live, to
continue a life inspiring others to live in a way of
peace and light, to help us believe in something
better.
To get involved in the struggle to save Tookie's life
go to www.savetookie.org .