Greetings friends! It has been some time since we had our ol’ friend and colleague, OT, write the editorial note and this week he truly doesn’t disappoint, as he steps up to share a few words. It is truly an honor to have OT back in the pages of the ed note. If you didn’t know, he supports the work day in and day out, helping with editing, typing, writing responses and intros to the various pieces, as well as doing the Spanish translations. We have known OT for many years, since he was a youth in juvenile hall, writing pieces for The Beat during workshops. Now, many years later, we are honored to work closely with this talented and loyal friend. He is a valued colleague who has truly come a long way!
We would like to welcome you readers back to another stellar double dose edition of the one and only The Beat Within. This is OT reporting live to you from the hot volcanic rocks of Managua Nicaragua and tasked with the great responsibility of hitting you all with this week’s editorial note. First and foremost, I would like to personally thank all you brave souls that decided to share your stories and your truths within our writing community. It certainly means a lot to have you valued contributors (young and old) teach us the hard lessons of life. Week in and week out you all continue to inspire and motivate me to keep striving to be a better me, so thank you all.
This week I’m going to touch on a subject that we all hate, but I always hear some of you young men and women say how much you hate Juvenile Hall, Camp, Placement, County Jail, and Prison. I mean I get it, incarceration sucks. Nobody that’s in there wants to be in there under their own consent.
You didn’t wake up one day and say, “Hey, today I’m gonna go to jail!†I would say about 99.9 percent of you didn’t think that, and many of you even though that you were out committing crimes, like hitting licks, selling drugs, gang-banging, knew that there was a possibility that you would get caught at some point. It comes with the life. Some of you that are in there are also innocent, and probably didn’t do nothing to get you in there. I also understand that. And please don’t take any of this personal because I too, went to Juvenile Hall, I too have been to the ranch, then graduated to county jail, then to Federal Prison and eventually got deported to the country of Nicaragua, hence why this letter is being written from my computer in Central America.
I did something different this time around before I started writing the ed’s note, and that’s get a piece of paper and a pencil and write my thoughts first. I had to write out my feelings, just like you guys do. I had to read The Beat Within a little bit because I wanted to address something to you all.
I hear how much you hate jail. Hate is such a strong word. I see the word hate a lot throughout our pages. It’s so common. Haters are everywhere, believe me people, I know. But stop using that word. It’s used so loosely in your vocabulary, in our vocabulary, that it almost becomes normal. Even though I am no longer the gangbanger I used to be. I still have old habits and I’m really cautious and observant of people, but I will tell you all something, you need to ignore the hate. You need to ignore the haters. You need to stop using the word hate because hating doesn’t get you nowhere. Start using the word dis-like, or “I don’t like….†But don’t move straight into hating.
I’m not going to tell you all what to do, but you do need to realize something because words hold a lot of value. Your words are gold. You have the ability to wake up today, and tell somebody, “Screw you!†Or say, “Hey, I hope you have a good day.â€
Choose the second option. Wake up and tell staff, “good morning, hope you have a good day today.†Wake up and tell your cellie (if you have one) that, your teacher that, your counselor that, heck even tell your attorney that. Don’t wait for someone else to do it. I don’t want you to say, “Mr. Henry don’t ever say good morning to me, so why should I say good morning to him.†Show him how. Show him that even though you are locked up, that you still have manners, and you still have respect, and you can still be positive. If you don’t get a “good morning†in return, keep doing it until you get one. Then in the afternoon, tell him good afternoon and before his or her shift is over tell him or her, “Have a good evening.â€
Don’t let others lack of politeness and good ethics, be the reason why you don’t practice your own manners. Be a leader not a follower. It’s so easy to just be just think about hate. You have the ability to make a change with just your actions, and along with your actions it goes hand in hand with your words and deeds. You will never get anywhere having the mentality of damn I hate these five-minute phone calls. Instead, appreciate every second of those five minutes that you get to talk with your loved one. Tell them how much you miss them and how much you love them.
See, I figured something out after all these thirty-four years of existence, and it took me a little while to figure out. Don’t let that happen to you. Let this sink in while you’re still young. This brings me back to my original message and my declaration. I loved juvenile incarceration! I know you’re like, what!? “What did this man just say!†If I never would have went to juvenile Hall and met the likes of (Beat colleagues) Michael Kroll, Dave Inocencio, Donna Hunter, Matt Melamed, this letter wouldn’t be in existence today.
I never would have met some incredible people that ‘till this day I can call my friend. And just to give you an example, because as much as you hate jail or Juvie, some of you have been fortunate enough to build relationships with counselors. I see it in your pieces. You give them love, a shout out. So even though, you were in a place you “hate,†you managed to create a positive relationship with somebody. Someone had an impact on your life, and you were able to make an impact on theirs and that’s something that lasts forever.
Don’t get me wrong. I hated the five-minute phone calls. I hated the food and showering with others. Now, I’m being a hypocrite and using that word I told y’all not to use, but I’m only doing that to show you I’m human. We all make mistakes. Your mistakes is not really the crime you committed. Your mistake is your mentality. Your mistake is not appreciating life enough. Your mistake is you saying, “but the other, dude did this or said this so I have to…†Don’t base your decisions on people you don’t even know. Don’t base your decisions on your haters.
Rise above all that like your seven feet tall and blocking shots in the NBA. You be the bigger person. Show people how they’re supposed to act not by telling them what to do, but by you, putting into play, with your actions. Be positive, don’t be negative.
Counter every act of hate of with an act of love and positivity. Be thankful for every meal you eat. Be thankful for all those who step into your life that want to help you. Be grateful. Hate, just shows your ungrateful side. So, start being that person you know that you can be. Do it now because like an OG rapper named Luni Coleone once said, “Time waits for no man.â€
That The clock is ticking…. One love to everybody locked down and going through some type of struggle. The Beat goes on.
We truly appreciate the message OT lays out in this note and we hope you do too. Now if you don’t maybe you can write a piece for The Beat countering his argument, or write a piece in support of what he is saying. We always welcome your message. Our door is wide open for you all!
All right, enjoy this latest issue of writing and art. There is plenty to take in! Embrace it and utilize this opportunity to better yourself and your community. We are listening!