Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingMonth: July 2018
My Story, My Irony
by Fernando Murillo My name is Fernando Murillo. I first wrote to The Beat in Alameda County Juvenile Hall as a sixteen-year-old boy. I was an impulsive, zealous young man full of so much self-righteousness. I was upset Michael Kroll and The Beat workshop people showed up during our rec time for a writer’s work shop. I felt exploited. I felt like some people outside wanted to come to the zoo and see the animals at a safe distance. Something I felt they wouldn’t do in the community. I was so ignorantly misinformed and irrational. I had no idea that this
Continue ReadingRemember Dad in June
by Macon June always reminds me of my father, not because it’s Father’s Day but it is also his birthday. My dad is one of the best dads I could ever wish for. When I was playing football, my dad would always take me to the park to work on my skills. He would also come to all my football practices and games. Even though my dad is always in and out of jail, he would always be there for me for the little time that he would be free. Besides my mom, my dad is the only person I can
Continue ReadingVolume 23.27/28
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingDon’t Just Count The Days, But Make The Days Count – Muhammad Ali
by Edgardo Ruiz I remembered sitting inside a holding cell waiting for sentencing, asking myself how did I allow myself to reach this low? When did I become so callous that I didn’t even care about my own life, let alone the life and feelings of others? How did I become so self-centered, selfish, egotistical and repulsive? Looking back to my childhood, I realized how innocent and carefree life was. You see, my upbringing was a little different. I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico where the ocean breeze was ever so lightly, the sunshine bright as ever and
Continue ReadingCan You Hear Me Now?
by Jeff Can you hear me now? Now that I’m shackled and chained Can you hear me now? Now that the “threat” has been contained Can you hear me now? Now that I no longer choke on these unspoken words Tell me can you hear me now? Now that the news has made people think I’m an animal Can you hear me now? Now that you know where I come from Can you hear me now? I try to tell people I’m a good kid Can you hear me now? Detectives trying to send me away for years Can they
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