Greetings to our Beat Within community near and far! We’re thrilled to have you with us for our latest issue, where our writers tackle topics ranging from quality friendships and being a “grown-up,” to reputations and the right to confidentiality. While we don’t play favorites, we’re confident that this issue of The Beat will inspire our readers to think deeply about our relationship to those closest to us, our world at large, and the person we’re always evolving into.
We hope you’ll extend a warm welcome to two of our interns, Mia and Sophie, who dedicated their time and attention to The Beat during this past winter term. Our interns hold a vital role in the production of our magazine, and we’re grateful to share our mission and vision with them.
Bearing Witness
As I wrap up my time at The Beat Within, a mix of gratitude and sadness washes over me. This journey has been filled with emotions, which have revealed layers of insight into the justice system and the lives it touches.
In my world, incarceration isn’t an abstract concept; it’s a part of my family’s story. The absence of loved ones behind bars has left an undeniable mark on my own journey, shaping my views, and fueling my dedication to unraveling the human stories within the justice system.
When I stepped into my role at The Beat, I brought not just academic aspirations, but also a deeply personal connection to the narratives of incarceration. These stories weren’t just words on paper; they mirrored the struggles of my own family, reflecting the pain of separation and the yearning for connection.
Transcribing these stories became more than a task; it became a journey through familiar emotions that transcended my role as a neutral observer. My personal experiences echoed the raw emotions of the inmates’ stories of missing loved ones. It was a stark reminder of the true cost of incarceration, far removed from the sterile legal discussions that dominate conversations about justice. Bearing witness to the struggles and triumphs of others transformed into a source of inspiration.
The difficulties encountered in this job went beyond the realm of technical skills; they also involved a range of emotional difficulties, requiring a deep sense of compassion. Confronting the harsh realities of separation and loss was difficult, but within those uncomfortable moments, I discovered the seeds of empathy and understanding.
There were moments of profound connection and joy. Amplifying the voices of the marginalized and providing a platform for their stories felt like a small act of defiance against the silence that often surrounds the incarcerated. It became a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a beacon of hope in the darkness of confinement.
My time at The Beat Within has been more than a professional endeavor; it’s been a journey of reconciliation and empathy. Through the stories I’ve encountered, I’ve come to realize the shared humanity that binds us all, transcending barriers of circumstance and status.
In conclusion, as I say goodbye to The Beat Within, I carry with me not only newfound knowledge but also a renewed sense of purpose. This experience has deepened my understanding and reinforced my commitment to advocating for empathy in our justice system. Ultimately, it’s about bridging the gap between us one story at a time.
-Mia, Urban High School of San Francisco
The Humanity Shown
Going into The Beat Within, I was not expecting to enjoy the transcription work as much as I did, and nor did I anticipate the amount of emotional labor it conjured for me at times.
My aim for this internship was to learn more about the justice system from the perspective of incarcerated individuals because I had felt like as a student, I never got to listen to the background stories of people who are put through this complicated and rigorous system, and instead only learned the basics of the institution.
In seventh grade, my friend and I made a presentation for school during lockdown about the incarceration system in the United States and the racist attitudes that are innate to the inner workings of the justice system. Although I am not told anything about the race or intersectionality of the people writing the stories, many of them decided to share experiences regarding being a person of color and how it affects them in different ways.
For me, it was a moment where I realized the importance of bringing social justice issues to light, and how often the educational research about social systems ties to raw and personal experiences that are not always molded to fit a certain narrative.
Another thing I loved about the stories shared in The Beat Within was the sheer vulnerability from the people behind these short stories and poems. Although most of the entries I transcribed had a first and last name written at the bottom, the program still provides a lot of anonymity that allows the experiences to be that much more personal and compelling.
Many of the stories I transcribed forced me to pause and take a minute or two to process them – stories of people my age or older experiencing immense grief, loss, and guilt were a huge part of the internship that I had not really thought about going into The Beat. Of course, there were many stories that also sparked joy and made me physically smile while reading them, like when someone made the honor roll in school and received good grades, or even doing smaller things for the betterment of their mental health, like reading more books.
At times, it felt disorienting to read one story about a person recounting their day to day activities and then going straight into transcribing an entry about a person who lost multiple friends and family to violence, mourning a past life or a past self. There were times where I would catch myself transcribing pieces without thinking, sometimes accidentally, but mostly so I could “get through” this week and worry about my other homework.
I quickly recognized how harmful that was, both for me and for the person who chose to share their experiences. I learned to sit with each piece of writing, letting myself laugh or cry if needed, and then responding to them as genuinely as I can. It can be difficult to not sound like a robot with the particular formatting of The Beat, but you learn to adapt and find a sort of rhythm that feels right.
Even now, I can’t say that I have perfected my method of responding to entries, but I try to show sympathy and understanding for every person, no matter what they decided to share or how they shared it.
All in all, I am very grateful for my experience at The Beat Within. Each emotion from the writings – happy, sad, confused, frustrated – emulated a part of someone who I will probably never know outside of this context, but who I am grateful for despite that fact.
The humanity shown in the narratives from The Beat Within is so refreshing, especially when everything in society is painted as a perfect picture. These are real people with real life experiences, all of which differ from my own. I will take the countless lessons I have gained and bring them with me forever.
First, a huge thank you to the writers, who have illustrated to me what it means to be a writer. Second, a thank you to Simone Zapata, who has constantly helped me correct small errors. And lastly, a thank you to my service teacher, Katina Papson-Rigby, who made this internship possible. I could not have done any of my work at The Beat without these people being involved!
-Sophie, Urban High School of San Francisco
Thank you, Mia and Sophie, for the depth of thought and intention you brought — and continue to bring — to The Beat Within. It was a pleasure to work alongside you during your time with us, and we look forward to hearing about what the future holds for you both!
Every day that we write, we grow stronger together and more connected to our shared goal of living in a world that we’re proud to call home. Cheers to you, Beat writers, for the commitment you bring to yourselves and your work. The Beat goes on!