Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingYear: 2020
Ed Note 25.31/32
Greetings to our readers and writers of The Beat Within! We’re back with another double issue (25.31/32) of thoughtful, profound, and resilient writing from our youth (and our elders) across the country, amidst still rising cases of COVID-19 and the necessary re-structuring of a society rooted in social and racial injustice. We can’t tell you enough how urgently your voices are needed, particularly now, more than ever. YOU are the voices of our future, and the histories that each one of you carry are shaping our present, are informing our future. In today’s editorial note we’re highlighting the reflections of
Continue ReadingEverything Comes Full Circle
by JC My point of view on life is that whatever you give into this world, comes full circle, right back to you. Now, it may not come directly to you, it may come to a loved one or someone around you. Think about it. I’ll give you some examples. Let’s say you’re in the store and the lady in front of you is short on cash and you step up and pay for her. It’ll probably make you feel good and probably make her day. Now, in some point in time in your life, it could be you or
Continue ReadingA Letter To Myself
by Your Inner Self, AH Dear Adrian, It’s me, your inner thoughts. I know you got some time, some time that you were not expecting. But you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and make the most out of the time you are given. I know that is easier said than done, but it’s something you got to do. Right now, there is a battle of positive and negative going on in your head, both sides of you are going at it. Adrian vs. Rico. Good vs. Bad. You can’t let Rico win. I know that things seem bad
Continue ReadingRacism Has Been Our Downfall
by Walter Horne When I overcome racism it allows me the privilege of expanding on the true essence of humanity. As it stands in this day and age, racism has been one of our downfalls for as long as I can remember. There will always be times when it will try to get in the way of righteousness. But when a person showcases good character in all that they do and stands on the grounds of Liberty and Justice For All Mankind, equality will always be the main objective in the fight against racism. One of the ways I was
Continue ReadingParenting
by Noel Rodriguez I’m serving a life sentence for taking the lives of two human beings. I’ve been incarcerated 24 years now. If I’m allowed parole next year under youth offender laws, I’ll be 45 years old. At 45 (I don’t have children) I think I would have a difficult time caring for children, considering I would not have a stable career. But wishing, I would be really loving to my babies. I would name them in honor of my victims Adrian and Richard. I would teach my children to be very compassionate and caring towards others. I would take
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Volume 25.29/30
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 25.29/30
Hello and welcome to all our readers, writers, and community members far and wide. The Beat goes on under such extenuating circumstances, and during one of the most urgent and unprecedented times our country has seen in recent history. We turn our editorial pages over today to our interns from Urban High School of San Francisco. Over the course of their school semesters, our student interns work to transcribe pieces sent to us from jails, prisons, and other adult institutions. We’re so grateful for their dedication to our mission, and for their consistent efforts to make this publication what it
Continue ReadingPride Month
by AGee It’s pride month, so let’s let ‘em know what it isGay love, man that’s the best love there isFemale and female, male and maleI don’t care what you are, we’re all human, can’t you tell?I don’t get why people hateLove is effing loveLGBTQ we’re all humans, no one’s aboveWe can’t change who we areWe won’t change just for you‘Cause everyone is differentMan, it’s nothing newIt’s like the color of your skinAin’t nothin’ you can do about itBut you can change your mindsetChange how you think about itGay, straight, bi, trans, and everything elseI love you for who you
Continue ReadingLife Before And During COVID-19
by MW Waking up in a cold sweat. It’s a little past seven in the morning. I’m getting ready for school. Mom’s cooking woke me up out of that bad dream. I wonder what life would be like if these were different? “Your bus is going to be outside, get there!” As I ate the last of my bacon, I forgot my dang coat. It was raining. “What are you doing?” I snatched my jacket as I ran from her voice. Thinking to myself, I can never get a break. I been so annoyed that I didn’t even talk to
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