A Gathering of Heroes

Download or read book A Gathering of Heroes written by GregAlan Williams and published by Academy Chicago Publishers, Limited. This book was released on 1996-02 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On 29 April 1992, Baywatch star GregAlan Williams walked into the intersection of Florence and Normandie avenues -- the heart of South Central Los Angeles -- and into the midst of the worst riot in America's history. Summoning courage born from the examples of his own personal heroes, Williams rescued Takao Hirata from an angry mob armed with bottles and rods. Through an endless shower of projectiles, he managed to drag the nearly lifeless man to safety. In this account of that traumatic event and its complex, fascinating aftermath, Williams vividly captures the sights and sounds of that tragic day, setting them against the background of his own life. He recalls his own experiences with racism and his own violent behaviour when he was in the Marines. All of these experiences are grist for William's mill as he reflects on the consequences of rage, on the ambiguity of attitudes of race, and most importantly, on the obligation we bear when confronted with the mindless face of violence.