by Hieu “Rocky” Nguyen My name is Hieu Nguyen. I am writing to you this letter in regard to my sinful involvement in the death of your beloved son. I must tell you that I am filled with worry at this moment. I am afraid that this letter will only serve to remind you of the loss of your son, and so it could bring you more pain. But yet, I believe that the greater wrong would be to fail to confess the harm I have done to you all, and to express my own grief and sorrow at the
Continue ReadingYear: 2020
The One Thing I Fear the Most
by TL The one thing I fear the most right now while I’m in jail is the Coronavirus messing up court. I heard that the Governor might shut down all prisons and youth detention facilities in California. So, I don’t know what that means for kids who haven’t been sentenced yet, like someone such as myself. I don’t know if I will be able to get out before that happens, or if I will be stuck here until it opens back up. My entire life, I have been in control of what I can do or what times I can
Continue ReadingA Visit By My Guardian Angel
by Jacob In my cell I’m praying to God that I want to changeTurn around I hear a voice it’s my brother baby JHe tellin’ me stop messing up before it’s too lateHis hand is reaching towards me saying it’ll be okThen I turn around and cry can’t look him in the faceAll I say maybe it’d be different if you was here todayMaybe mom and dad would be together and it wouldn’t be this wayTurn around I tell him to stay don’t leave me in this cageYelling that I’m losin all hope he said you can’t lose faithThen he
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Dear Beat Community
June 2020 The Beat goes on, even during California’s Shelter-In-Place order! The Beat Within continues to ensure that incarcerated youth & adults across the country receive this one-of-a-kind publication every other week. The Beat has responded to the COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place order, by holding space in our pages for folks to voice how this pandemic continues to impact them, their loved ones, and their world at large. We are also providing more magazines than ever as the demand for reading material increases in every location! Our writers – young and old, alumni and supporters alike – were able to share updates,
Continue ReadingVolume 25.21/22
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 25.21/22
Greetings, friends of The Beat Within! It is such an honor to connect and share with you all through the pages of The Beat Within. What an issue you have in your hands! It is hard to believe, that we have being leading workshops inside various institutions, school and community based organizations and putting out our one of a kind publication since 1996! Yes, almost 25 years! Here we are, as summer embraces us, we have double issue, 25.21/22 for your latest read. As the COVID 19 continues to plague our communities around the USA, The Beat Within continues
Continue ReadingA Moment of Your Time
by Dorian Voltaire Excuse me, dear, wish to catch your attention if I mayIf you would allow me but a moment,I have a couple things I simply must sayPlease forgive my grade but I must take a few minutes of your timeBecause to not steal your heart would be a truly unforgivable crimeI just can’t resist it, something about you draws me inA battle against your beauty is a fight no man can ever winBut it’s more than just your beauty, it’s a loveliness deep insideFeminine perfection is something you just can’t hidePlease forgive all the praise and flatteryWhen describing
Continue ReadingDear The Beat Within Readers, Contributors, and Staff
by Johnny Rodriguez Greetings, Happy New Year! May 2020 be filled with continued vision to facilitate and solutionize short and long term goals. Once we’re on the road of self-motivating inner healing, change, and recovery management can we individually live a meaningful life with self-respect, dignity, and steadfastness in light of our past. Continuing to improve ourselves permits us to venture into new arenas cautiously to protect ourselves, especially, the work of reducing the risk of recidivism to earnestly be proactive, social and purposeful. Having a visionary perspective in effect, I’ve learned to not limit my inner perspective to continue
Continue ReadingAttachment and Losing Patience
by CP, There are many things in life that are going to be challenging, like losing a family member or breaking a bone. Or maybe you did something wrong and ended up in jail. Or traumatizing, painful, indescribable things have happened to you. It feels dark, like you slowly start losing yourself. You question yourself like, “why has this happened to me?” or “are things going to keep getting worse?” Then, you want to give up, but then there is something inside of you that makes you keep going. Maybe it’s the fact you weren’t physically broken. I feel
Continue ReadingDysfunctional Yet Delightful
by G I grew up with what I consider a very dysfunctional family. We’re all crazy and have a hard time getting along with each other. Although, when we do, we’re a delightful group and can joke all day long. Despite our abilities to get along, everyone in my family is very strong and no matter what we go through, we keep our heads high. My mother has raised all four of us on her own. She is the strongest person I know, and her ability to solve any problem amazes me. She has been through many obstacles
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