Stanley Tookie Williams' Legacy

Last night Stanley Tookie Williams, who was the co-founder of the violent street gang Crips, was executed for murdering four people with a shotgun in 1979. The first man murdered, Albert Owens, was working the night shift at a 7-11. Owens told Williams and his cohorts to take everything. But Williams ordered Owens into a back room and shot him twice in the back, and later laughed about the crime.

Williams' case has drawn national attention because he apparently had a change of heart, and became an anti-gang activist in prison, public speaker (via phone), and an author of children's books. On the other hand, Williams has never admitted his crimes, and has rejected opportunities to help authorities convict other gang members.

Williams' legacy lives on. His son Stanley Jr. joined the gang founded by his father, and is now serving time for second degree murder. The Crips have expanded and are now bringing Williams' brand of violence across the nation. On the other hand, his eight book series titled "Tookie Speaks Out" which are targeted at kids in kindergarten through 4th grade, warn of the dangers of joining gangs.

Today, only God knows whether or not Tookie's change of heart was genuine.