Blue Rage, Black Redemption

A Memoir

De: Stanley Tookie Williams, Tavis Smiley - foreword, Barbara Becnel - epilogue

Narrado por: Ferlon Webster

When his Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles. 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 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.

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.

©2004 Stanley Tookie Williams; Foreword copyright 2007 by Tavis Smiley; Epilogue copyright 2007 by Barbara Becnel (P)2023 Tantor

Nicely Written

The book was very fluid and believable. The narration was very clear and understandable. This is a must read. I will definitely pass this on to others that I know.

Misunderstood

It all started with the women he had the most love for in the very beginning, from a kid on kid fight, she never gave him a mothers ear or trust to give him a chance to tell his side. It changed him for life, feeling as though no one had his back until the very end! He never had a chance. And I know life is about choices but when you feel like the world is already against then he felt why fight (in his young days) then he tried to make it right but people chose not to see change! Im on the east coast and I cried when this man was executed and I didn't know him from a can of paint but just the fact that he tried to make a difference even with all his past flaws the Governor (who has a past and is flawed to this day) could not, would not and did not give this man Grace, says a lot about him! But on the flip side Stanley choices put him where he ended up it's just sad that he saw the big picture of his choices to late! I finished reading this book on 12/13/24 and Stanley life ended on 12/13/2005, my heart broke for him all over again and I felt the same sadness for him as the day they executed him. I was disturbed for the whole day! I just pray that his ending good out weighed his bad, even though his bad is still affecting his people till this present day! This story, HIS-STORY will give you mixed feelings. Your rooting for him in the end knowing the damage he has caused and is still causing! So heart breaking!

Loved It!

Had my attention from beginning to end. Will listen again. The narrator did a very good job.

From one of the toughest men in California to really wanting peace in his communities

his storytelling was so vivid and capturing could not stop listening GREAT BOOK A RECOMMENDED LISTEN FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN

The story was great, but the voice is hard to listen to

I disliked the reader or actor’s style of narrating. Very dry, monotone, and voice drag.