We would like to welcome you readers back to another great edition of the one and only The Beat Within. Hard to believe 24 years ago we started this one of a kind publication inside the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center aka Youth Guidance Center. We, as an organization, have truly come a long way from our initial workshops and that first issue on the death of Tupac Shakur. Happy anniversary to The Beat Within, what an amazing journey we have all been on. Thank you colleagues, friends, readers and writers for playing such an important role in our evolution.
Enjoy this latest issue filled with great thoughtful writings and art that will hopefully inspire you to keep creating, sharing and having those important conversations with yourself and those in your community. Thank you for allowing us into your world, keep the writings and truths coming! You are being heard loud and clear, far and wide! The Beat goes on!
Today, or should we say this past year, there has been so much going on in the world, and we could not think of a better colleague to give us a snapshot from his world, than OT! We have known OT since he was a youth inside the San Mateo County Juvenile Hall where he was once a participant in our writing workshops. From there he joined the ranks of The Beat Within and has never left. A true friend and colleague, we are honored to give OT the floor this week to share his thoughts on the world we live in. OT!
It’s OT coming live to you from Nicaragua, from the land of active volcanoes and grand lakes. It’s been a while since I’ve had the privilege to address the entire Beat Within family and writing community and it’s a blessing to be on the keyboard today letting my mind control my finger strokes as if I were Beethoven on the piano keys. I’ve had much to say, a lot to say and I’ve missed venting my emotions over the pages of our zine. It’s been a while so I’m a bit rusty, but the writing, the thinking, and the fighting continues.
A lot has been happening in the world lately, as you all know and when the world came to halt with everything closed, everything from school to The movie theaters, to all sports had to shut down, a lot of America’s issues came to the forefront. It’s hard to deny that for most of us that have been in this struggle and have been fighting the good fight for years, we all know that these issues are not new. Systemic racism and oppression do exist. Police brutality is old news made popular by social media. It’s just that with easy access to smart gadgets and internet, now anyone with a camera can capture a story, part of a story, whether it’s a crime, a good deed it’s hard not to get caught on camera. But as the late 2pac Shakur says, “As the world turns…round and round…” and life keeps moving and the days tick by like the hand on the big watch, those that have decided to remove the blindfold from our eyes have come to realize the cold hard truth. The greatest nation in the world, has its flaws, and those flaws are TREMENDOUS.
As much as I love my home state of San Francisco California, and I consider myself an American, I feel sorry for the state of the country of United States. People have their priorities all messed up and instead of trying to help one another, there is so much greed, hatred and division. Matter of fact instead of the United States of America, it should be called the Divided States of America. I’m amazed at the fact that people can’t seem to come to an agreement on how to reopen up the country safely without having politics involved. Politics…politics…. and more politics all over the news just makes me feel like I’m back in prison all over again dealing with prison politics with gangs, and other ethnic groups. They say the “far-left” or the “far-right.” Shhh it’s starting to seem like they are gang banging.
Democracy is a funny word, nowadays, and so is the word Republican. So are the colors red and blue. Politics are starting to sound a lot like gangs. See the truth is ladies and gentlemen, whether you agree with me or not, as when it comes to doing the right thing in life, you don’t discriminate because of what political party you’re from.
If you saw a homeless man, and your heart-touched you and you decided to help them with some food or money or a kind gesture, you didn’t stop and ask the man whether he was a republican or democrat or a liberal or who he was voting for. You helped him or her out of the kindness of your heart. You did the right thing. If you decide to help someone on the road because their tire is flat or when you decide to bring groceries to your house to help out the family, do you ask who they’re voting for? Do you ask your friends before you go the movies or before you hang out what political party do they support? Doing the right thing has nothing to do with politics.
Helping people out, has nothing to do with politics. Since when does doing the right thing have to be about where you’re from? Where you were born? The color of your skin? If we don’t care for each other, then who will? If we’re all in the same struggle why keep creating division amongst one other. Let the politicians keep on politicking, and let’s do our jobs and help out one another and keep helping out one another. There is a piece written by Nephew in our Pandemic Section that I want everyone to read, that shows just how big this man’s heart is. Not to put him on a pedestal, but his piece shows us just how important it is to go out the way and show love to those who need it.
It’s our job as caring humans to do just that. So I challenge you all, not to play the politic game. I challenge you all not to fall into the negativity. I challenge you all to elevate your game when it comes to helping others out. If you do one good deed a day move it up to 2 or 3. If you help 2 or 3 people out a day, move it up to 4 or 5. And to those that have received help by someone’s generosity, reciprocate that help back to others.
Let’s not wait for others in this world to come help us out. Let’s show the world how we, together and united could help ourselves out. That’s the only way we’re going to see real change in our communities and in this world. The real power is in the people. It’s inside EACH and every single one of us.
One love for everyone going through the struggle. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay clean and wear your masks. The fight continues and The Beat keeps going and going….Strong!
Thank you, OT! We always appreciate hearing from you. All right, much love and respect to all of you readers. We can’t thank you enough for all you give to The Beat Within. You are appreciated. Take care, be well and stay safe!