by Michael Mackey Detention has affected my relationship with my family by me not being there! Watching them grow up, my son is wondering where has his father gone and is acting out because I’m not around to teach him right from wrong. It’s hard on his mother, Lakisha, raising a child by herself with little support from family and me, the father of her son, Daziri. I didn’t speak to my son or his mother for about seven and a half years because frustration and detention affected her, and I made her angry for many reasons. She tried to forget about
Continue ReadingAuthor: mpau@thebeatwithin.org
Support incarcerated youth by purchasing a t-shirt
Season Greetings!! In celebration of entering our 20th year, we are excited to announce a NEW Beat Within t-shirt. This campaign is short term through our friends at Booster. These t-shirts (or hoodies) are only available for the next few weeks. We MUST sell 100 items to fulfill the order. Wishing you a great holiday season. Thanks for your continued support.
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VOLUME 20.49/50
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this latest issue.
Continue ReadingThat Day
My name is Jensen Ramos and I am currently serving a life sentence for committing a crime as a juvenile. I committed my crime at the age of 17. I was tried, convicted and sentenced to 50 years to life. I have currently been in prison for 12 years now, and till this day I hate it. I still remember the day it happened. On January of 2002 I went to a party with my friends trying to have a good time. One of my friends had an exchange of words with someone and they started fighting. After they fought
Continue ReadingTHE BEAT WITHIN/JJIE
Season Greetings Friends! If you have not read this story yet, the powerful piece by our friend Shabaka, “Cracked Sidewalks,” it was just picked up today by our colleagues, the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, a national website that is the only publication/site covering juvenile justice and related issues nationally on a consistent, daily basis. They are based out of Kennesaw, GA. We are thrilled to get this story out to an even larger community. Shabaka wrote this for The Beat Within from the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center. Cracked Sidewalks http://jjie.org/cracked-sidewalks/164988/ If you want to read other entries from The Beat Within
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VOLUME 20.47/48
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this latest issue.
Continue ReadingStrength to Stand On My Own Two Feet
by Eddie Herena I knew I’d be alone the moment I stepped on the bus headed for state prison. I ran with a gang on the street and eventually wound up in County (jail) for a murder I committed. The thought of spending the rest of my life in prison was overwhelming. I was twenty-one. Knowing myself and the loyalty that lies within my being, I was forced to make one of the toughest choices in my young life: to either immerse myself deeper into the gang lifestyle, or walk away. It wasn’t easy, but I knew that if I chose
Continue ReadingThankful
by Sally Bo Thanksgiving is coming up, I want to say Thanks to my mother for always being there and helping me out in times of need. My father too, for being in my life and teaching me stuff I really didn’t want to know but is helpful in the long run. My sister for always keeping up with my antics and weird vibe, and especially living another day, month, year.. etc. to explore this wonderful world. I hope that I’ll spend Thanksgiving with my folks and say what I said above to them to show them how much I care
Continue ReadingTHE BEAT WITHIN/JJIE
Season Greetings! The Beat Within is on a roll!! The JJIE (Juvenile Justice Information Exchange), based in Kennesaw, GA, has picked up “My Truth,” an amazing and thoughtful piece of writing from our friend, Jesus Trujillo, who is serving a life sentence, from the California State Prison Los Angeles in Lancaster, California. Jesus sent his contribution to not only share his story, but to educate our young readers in our weekly writing workshops. Here’s Jesus’ piece, My Truth http://jjie.org/my-truth/161164/ As always if you want to read other entries from The Beat Within that the JJIE has posted, here’s the link. http://jjie.org/category/ideas-and-opinions/the-beat-within/ We are incredibly thankful to
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VOLUME 20.45/46
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this latest issue.
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