Welcome back, readers and writers of The Beat Within! As this issue was being completed, like most of you, we heard of the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, his 13 year old daughter and 7 other passengers, who were killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California. Given the greatness of Kobe, we had a couple amazing art pieces done by our old friend, the late, Michael Orozco. In tribute of Kobe, we bring these art pieces back to share with you all. Our hearts go out to those lost in this horrible crash, their families and all affected.Â
For this week’s editorial note we’re giving space to another two of our high school interns from Urban High School of San Francisco, CA., who transcribe pieces that come to us through adult institutions for The Beat Without (BWO) section. In her reflection, Robyn writes about how one Beat Without writer has inspired her to be the best version of herself possible, while Somerset details the emotions that volunteering for us has brought up for him – especially around the conditions that our writers are living in. We express our deepest gratitude for the work that Robyn and Somerset, as well as the rest of our student interns, commit to every day to make The Beat Within the powerful publication it is!
Unknowingly Facing the Truth
In my processes of transcribing various excerpts and writings, I was able to pick up a variety of feelings: longing, tiredness, forgiveness, acceptance, reminiscence and many others. However, I think the general feeling I was able to pick up was that being able to write down your stream of consciousness, or pour your heart out onto this piece of paper was something that was irreplaceable. It was something that a lot of these individuals needed in order to feel free within their incarceration.
One writer that moved me was Ms. Latrice Thomas. In her ‘Valentines’ piece, she wrote about her twisted ‘love’ that she had with her former, abusive partner. She suffered so much when she was “a child raising a child.†She couldn’t love her child the way she would have wanted to under different circumstances. She was lost. This piece struck me because Ms. Latrice Thomas was able to forgive her abuser and herself. After being in and out of jail, she was able to let her destructive past fall like heavy gown off her aching shoulders. She was able to breathe fully and deal with her suffering. After removing the heavy veil that covered the truth, she was able to see that her child was the one thing that she wanted. This transformation is hard. This acceptance of the past and grasping for a brighter future is hard. The future is something that you can’t control, however the way you spend your life is something you can control. Before, Ms. Latrice Thomas was feeling out of control of her own voice, body, existence. But now, she can excel, she can be the woman she has always wanted to be, and the mother that her child has always needed. She did this through accepting herself with her whole heart. This witty and moving piece, inspired me. The way she can accept her past, and breakthrough her depression, it makes me feel as though we are all able to recreate the way we think about ourselves. I think that a lot of the time, girls especially have a hard time to accept themselves. I am always trying to fix myself and tell myself to be happy. Saying it doesn’t make it happen. Ms. Latrice Thomas inspired me to be the woman who I have always wanted to be. She is brave and honest with herself and I want to be like her when I am older.
The Beat Within virtually transformed the way I think about the system of incarceration. As a privileged woman living in San Francisco, I was able to distance myself from individuals within the prison system and remove any connotations, leaving a sense of numbness towards people living in this experience. When I started working with The Beat Within, I was unknowingly facing the truth that these incarcerated individuals are human. Perfectly normal, funny, unique, kind, generous, loving, tired human beings. I want to thank the Beat Within for helping not only incarcerated individuals, but also positively impacting people like me who are lucky enough to have stumbled upon them.
-Robyn from Urban High School in San Francisco, CA
A Voice Beyond My Own Comprehension
My name is Somerset, and I am a senior at the Urban School of San Francisco. Before working with The Beat Within, I only had seen pop-culture impressions of the justice system, and those incarcerated. Within my own circles and connections, no one I knew had ever been incarcerated or involved with criminal justice. Because of that, my understanding and relationship to the idea of incarceration and justice was fairly limited. 
Through my entire educational experience, I have always valued the art of writing and self-expression. I have had the privilege to speak to my peers through essays, speeches and poetry, and it has given me a voice beyond my own comprehension. The removal of that right seems almost unimaginable, yet those experiencing incarceration are almost entirely stripped of their voice. The Beat Within gives those that typically can not share their stories and perspectives the ability to do so. Through transcribing songs, poems and essays, I found myself empathizing and relating certain experiences and emotions with aspects of my own identity. 
I felt deep appreciation for Richie F. Angulo’s essay in which he recalled a moment with his mother. His connections between family and acceptance deeply resonated with things I had experienced in my childhood. 
While each author remains poignant in my head, Richie F. Angulo’s essay on his mother inspired my own familial inquiries, and was a reminder to find love and acceptance for the people that raised me. Angulo’s words reminded me to be curious about those around me while I can, and to keep an open mind despite the rarities of the circumstances. 
These people, individuals with families, friends and hardships, are typically isolated and left without the ability to share their story or their truths. These restrictions only perpetuate the mistreatment of incarcerated individuals, and the injustices occurring in the criminal justice system. 
Above all, I felt constantly guilty for not being able to do more. While these stories and words are powerful, there are large demographics of people being wrongfully convicted and sentenced. These people are then silenced and sent into a perpetuated system of injustice. My experience working with The Beat Within has inspired anger, compassion, and responsibility for the people that usually do not have the ability to share their stories in a public manner. It has been an informative, emotional and educational experience volunteering, and I wish that more people would have the opportunity to read the works of these incarcerated individuals.  
-Somerset from Urban High School in San Francisco, CA
We are truly honored to have this amazing partnership with the Urban School. We are super excited to work with our newest core group of interns this new year.
All right friends, enjoy this latest issue of writing and art. We have hit the ground running, as we anticipate great writings and art from our various sites from the inside to those on the outs. We are excited to be a part of the change that is happening within many of you contributors, to what is happening in our world. We all play a role in making this world a better place.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can be of any support. We embrace the chance to work with you and to provide this one of a kind platform. Thank you all again for your time and work.