Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingMonth: May 2021
Ed Note 26.19/20
Greetings! It is always an honor to have OT start things off, when it comes to this one-of-a-kind publication, The Beat Within. Our latest issue is packed with thoughtful writings from our amazing young people, who step up in our workshops each week, to our elders, whose desire it is to teach and raise awareness in support of all readers, especially the young people of The Beat Within. This double issue, 26.19/20, is no different, but we do know one thing, it is a one-of-a-kind issue that is making a difference for all who pick up this seventy-two pager to
Continue ReadingPushing Myself Does Me Good
by ES, Sacramento This week has been a rough week, but I did hear some positive feedback from a few people. It was from one of my fellow peers, his name was J. It was said a week or two ago during a basketball game. It made me feel unquestionably good considering everything going on in my life now. He said I was going crazy which meant all in good terms. I was playing basketball and crossing people up like no tomorrow. When it comes to hard work, I feel like you must be truly pushing yourself to the max
Continue ReadingI Am Not A Menace To Society
by AS, Sacramento Freedom to me is being able to do what you want, when you want. I got no freedom in here. I’m being watched twenty-four-seven. Freedom is when I was out and being able to go to the places I want. If I’m hungry, I can go out and get a snack I want. I can be on social media talking to my friends and girls, but I’m not. I’m in here, incarcerated. I lost my freedom. Now I’m on a path to get it back. Since being incarcerated, I reflect on all the little things I miss
Continue ReadingPushed My Way To Graduation
by MR, Sacramento A time I put in hard work was a couple months ago. I was locked up and they told me I wasn’t goin’ to graduate on time. They said maybe next year if I put in effort. Mind you I was already in my fourth year and I didn’t have no credits. Damn near felt like dropping out, but being locked up was my advantage ‘cause all I had was time to focus on my credit recovery. I really thought it was impossible. I had six credits as a senior, so I asked the teacher in the
Continue ReadingLeaving California
by Faith, San Mateo About a month and a half ago I got a call from my social worker. She was trying to sound all nice and was like, “You’re not going to like the news I am about to give you, but I have no choice, we are taking you out of your father’s care.” I remember sitting all quiet because I had no words. She asked me if I was okay, all I said was, “I don’t want to talk.” I hung up automatically and broke down. I couldn’t even talk; I was crying so much I couldn’t
Continue ReadingNightmare After Surgery, Part One
by Charles Reece, San Quentin State Prison, CA April 21st, 2020 at 9am I was transported to Marin General Hospital for my long overdue prostate surgery that I had been waiting on for twenty-two months. I should have been given the surgery no later than one month after discovery of the prostate cancer in June of 2018. A prisoner is never transported to outside medical facilities more than thirty minutes before their appointment for security reasons, therefore my surgery should have taken place no later than 10am but didn’t. The two guards and I arrived at the hospital five minutes
Continue ReadingFreedom
by Floyd D. Collins, San Quentin State Prison, CA So what exactly is freedom? Being a lifer with a possibility of parole you would think I would say freedom is outside these walls, on the other side of this gate. Well, I do feel this is only a part of freedom. For me freedom is being my authentic self. What this means is being the person God created me to be. Having a strong and clear peace of mind is freedom. Now I know how to have a good day, even when everything and everyone may feel it’s bad. I
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Volume 26.17/18
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 26.17/18
Another week, another Beat! We would like to welcome you wonderful readers back to another fabulous edition of the one and only The Beat Within, double issue 26.17/18. We would like to extend a warm embrace to every single one of you readers and hope that when you read this you and your loved ones are in best of health spiritually, physically and mentally. Our dear friend OT is back with his insights for all our friends to read straight from the very hot climate of Managua, Nicaragua. Let’s pass the keyboard to our dear friend and colleague, OT! Boy
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