Greetings Beat lovers! Another week, another Beat for you supportive readers and friends of our amazing publication. This week’s issue is no different, filled with lots of writings from our wonderful workshops, to the submissions that come in unsolicited. We are grateful to you all for believing in this journey and playing such an important role in our success. The last couple issues we have had the honor to showcase the writings from our friend, OT, in Managua, Nicaragua. This issue we continue with our dear friend and colleague who has played a major role in The Beat Within for
Continue ReadingYear: 2021
The Visit
by BrokenHeartedYouth, Santa Clara I had a co-visit with my mom the other day and we had a powerful conversation. It wasn’t your typical conversation that you’d have with your mother. Forgive me, but it’s still hard to talk about. I told her how tired I was, and she asked me, “Why mijo, did you sleep late?” It took me a while to answer her question. How can I tell the woman that brought me into this world and gave me love and life that I no longer wanted it? I told her how I was feeling, and she broke
Continue ReadingMy Struggle
by JL, Santa Clara My struggle is a beautiful one, many try to replicate it, but can’t do it right! I go and learn from all my mistakes on a daily basis. Some lessons are harder than others, but I’m proud of who I am becoming. I’ve been through it all and I can say that my loyalty still hasn’t wavered. I can die today and be known as a real standup dude! I can’t let the poor decisions my peers made affect me. I can’t blame them for acting differently because we aren’t cut the same. I’ll continue to
Continue ReadingStreet Life Ain’t Worth It
by RJ, Sacramento If I had to teach something, I would try to teach youth that gang banging, and trying to sit on the block or trying to hang out with gang members is not the way to go. Trying to fit in with others that you do not belong with can cost you your life. What I mean by that is one little situation at the wrong place and wrong time can have you dead or doing life in jail. I know some people have that type of family that makes you grow up in that – not typically
Continue ReadingHow I Became a Domestic Enemy
by Dortell Williams, California State Prison, Los Angeles County in Lancaster, CA I supposed that it is rare for a man cured of toxic masculinity to admit that he was the domestic enemy of the house. Especially when domestic violence is all too common in today’s society, and yet now I speak out against it. I wish I could say that I evolved to a place where I was mature enough to just get it without having ever harmed a soul. But regretfully, I didn’t fully understand until after I had committed grave harm, falling as low as one can
Continue ReadingEnemies Come In All Shapes and Sizes
by Richie F. Angulo, Avenal State Prison in Avenal, CA When you were growing up, who was our worst enemy? Was it the neighborhood kid or the school yard bully? As I reflect on my life, I remember very well that I was always hiding from my worst enemy. It didn’t matter if I was in school, playing baseball on the field, or at the store with my parents, my worst enemy had a way of keeping me on my toes. I was afraid, always on the move. I needed to be one step ahead of him. So you’re probably
Continue Reading
Volume 26.19/20
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd 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 Reading