In keeping with the passing of the historical baton to the next generation, this column would be very remiss if it did not acknowledge or pay homage … [Read more...]
The First ‘OG’ in My Life
The greatest challenge facing OGs today is the challenge to ourselves. For we only become a credible “model” and make persuasive demands on the … [Read more...]
Advice That Could Make a Difference
Question: If you, the OG, had the ear of the young people, what would you tell them? Dear OG Watani, My name is La-La, and I am 49 years old. In your … [Read more...]
An ‘OG’s’ Perspective
Who’s Wrong and Where’s the Respect? I was on my way down the stairway to the lower yard, heading toward the San Quentin newsroom, when I was … [Read more...]
An ‘OG’s’ Perspective
The Struggle We Have With Personal Choices It’s hard to live in a whore house and not become a trick. Even for the most “virtuous” among us, it would … [Read more...]
What to Tell Young Offenders ?
Recently I sat down with Pendarvis Harshaw, a 24 year-old Oakland freelance writer who met with the San Quentin News staff. In a one-on-one … [Read more...]
An “OG’s” Perspective
I first came to prison in 1969. After five years of being incarcerated, I escaped from San Quentin State Prison and fled to South America where I … [Read more...]
Observing Black History in February
Black History month is perhaps one of the most uplifting and empowering months of the year, particularly for AfricanAmericans. Every February, we … [Read more...]
Happy on the one hand, but…
After serving 29 years on a second-degree murder charge, 67-year-old Fred Hempstead was finally granted parole and released from San Quentin on … [Read more...]
I Write For My Children
I write for my children In words only hearts can fathom. I write for my children Pen-drenched in love storms And magical poems; Each alphabet a … [Read more...]