Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingYear: 2024
Ed Note 29.19/20
Greetings to our Beat Within community near and far! We’re proud to present this latest publication to you, and to feature the groundbreaking writing and artwork of our incarcerated community across the nation. We cherish each and every piece that we publish, and celebrate the resilience and dedication of our writers and readers. This issue’s editorial note is brought to you by two of our interns from Urban High School of San Francisco, Lelia and Sophie. We appreciate the detail that Lelia goes into about the lessons she’s learned from interning with us, and the deep resonance that Sophie feels
Continue ReadingThe Only Person Holding You Back
-PJ, Marin I do believe I am my worst enemy. I believe this because I feel the only person holding you back is yourself. There are times where people blame others for when things are going wrong in their life. But I’ve always believed that you are in full control of what happens and you can separate yourself from people you don’t agree with. You can drop bad habits by yourself alone, even if it may be hard. You have no one — and I mean no one — to blame. You decide what you doing what you don’t, which
Continue ReadingI Express My Creativity in Many Ways
-Sanguine, Santa Cruz I like to express my creativity in a lot of different ways. I like to draw, write, take pictures and play instruments, especially the electric guitar. Sometimes I cook. I mix a couple of different desserts together to make a new one or sometimes I make crazy sandwiches, instant ramen and add a couple of extra ingredients or just go simple and cook a steak. I especially like grilling. When my family has carne asada(grilled meat), it’s usually me or my pops who’s grilling and my mom mixing the salsa, guac, beans and rice. I’m not such
Continue ReadingThe One Thing I Fear the Most Right Now
-Johnny Rodriguez, CHCF in Stockton, CA The one thing I fear the most right now is not living a meaningful life where I wouldn’t care about what would happen to me, my family, friends, short and long term goals and or with people in general. Especially my future possibilities with someone special that my present could offset preventing me from ever experiencing diverse potential. Life has taught me to understand and to grow in a continuum and be realistic, especially in the face of adversity to persevere and strive for general purposeful well-being to never lose sight. This has taught
Continue ReadingLove Them Unconditionally
-Wendy Fong, Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, CA I became a parent at the age of fifteen. When I became a parent, I wanted to be a good parent. I thought about this for a long time. I realized I wanted to incorporate the values of my father without being too protective. I did not want to shelter my child too much because I knew being sheltered made me more curious and daring. I knew I did not want to just be my child’s friend because then there was no structure, guidance, or boundaries. I learned this because
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Volume 29.17/18
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 29.17/18
Welcome back readers and writers of The Beat Within! This latest issue is chock full of writing that recognizes the people we depend on to lift us up, what it takes to give and receive an honest apology, the redeeming power of love, our right to fair and equal access to services, imagining the day we will finally be free from the circumstances that bind us, and so much more. We know we say this all the time, but we really can’t say it enough — this issue is one you don’t want to miss! We’re turning our editorial section
Continue ReadingPeople Need Support
-JP, Sacramento Support systems are important. My family is my biggest support system and they come to all of my court dates. I think it’s important to have good support systems because if you don’t, people will not have good mental health. If I didn’t have the support I do have right now, my mental health would not be as good. My mental health is not the best, but it would be a lot worse if my family wasn’t able to see me. People need support even if they think they don’t. I believe they need them a lot more
Continue ReadingForgiveness
-Samantha, Marin Forgiveness. I always wish I knew how to forgive, truly forgive. My biological mother just came back into my life recently. For the first time since I was five years old, I hadn’t seen or heard anything about her since then. I was scared of her to say the least. She exposed me to things no child should ever be exposed to at that age. No person or child should ever, I mean never, be exposed to what she did. She ruined my childhood. I never will be able to really be a kid. At six years
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