Category: Feature of the Week

by TY, San Diego, CA Everything we are doing is going to have a monumental effect down the road, so you have to move smarter. Start thinking ahead instead of in the moment. This life is chess, not checkers. It’s a waiting game so you have to act accordingly.  Just remember that it’s the people who think before they move that make it farther. When you’re sitting in your cell, or when you’re all alone, do some deep thinking about everything you’ve done in life up until now.  Then, decide if you’re comfortable with where you’re at in life. If

by OT Welcome Beat Readers to The only magazine that keeps it one thousand with you and that’s because all of you make this even more special by keeping it one thousand with us, by sharing your stories, your truths and experiences. This is OT once again reporting live to you from the grand Land with the active volcanoes, yes sir, you guessed it, Nicaragua. I’m going to go ahead and get straight into my spiel because I’m actually anxious to dish it out what I’m about to say. In Fact, You guys are barely about to receive this topic. 

 by Gucc, San Mateo  The life of Gucc is crazy. The heart of Gucc is gone. Being me has been a hard job. Ever since I could remember my life has been hectic. My pops was a demon so he birthed a red-rum child. They kept it real with me at a young age. They told me I’ll probably get killed by my right hand man. I’ve seen how being in jail everyone leaves you for dead. Sometimes I feel like I could have gone to the (professional sports) league, but the court I went to, as they are tryin’

by Jesus, San Diego Honestly, I’m not sure where my life is going. I’m literally in the middle. I am mentally ready to succeed in the world and try to live life differently. But sometimes, my actions show differently. It’s crazy how hard I’m trying to do good but I always mess up in a matter of seconds. I just had a fight a couple days ago. I think I went on my longest streak of two months without a fight, so I felt I was past due to mess up and I did.  But now I’m back on the

by Josue I like to think that the reason I am in nursing school is so that I will be able to change individuals lives on a daily basis. I was not always in this position that I am in now, a grade A nursing student from San Francisco. I was the product of the old colorful Mission District. The loud kickbacks, drinking, and trouble finding streets. I think about this fact as I prepare for my Fundamentals in Nursing class.  This is the semester where I find myself getting prepared for my clinical rotations. No one knows my past,

Our long time colleagues, the JJIE (Juvenile Justice Information Exchange) are featuring The Beat Within essay, “No Longer The Monster But I Feel Like A Fraud,” from our colleague and friend,  Josue.   This beautifully written, and inspirational piece is a must-read for all, especially our youth, as Josue shares his story as a youngster growing up in San Francisco to who he is today.   It is certainly an honor to be working with Josue and to provide this talented teacher and writer a platform to not only share his work in the pages of The Beat Within, but today, thanks

by Lil Gucc, San Mateo What keeps me going every day is a battle with my own thoughts. I barely sleep because my thoughts keep me up all night. I guess the saying that “You’re your own worst enemy” is true. My thoughts always go directly to the worst possible scenario. I think a simple question like, I wonder what my girl is doing? And suddenly I’m thinking that she’s probably out there embarrassing me, dogging me, and playing me. Well, my mind goes way deeper than that, but I’m trying to keep this appropriate.  If you’ve ever had a

by Russell Greetings, Beat family! And what a year! It’s hard to write a piece trying to sum up what a roller coaster 2020 has been, but this trying time has offered me a lot of lessons and put a lot of things in perspective for me.  Let me start by letting you know a little bit about me. My name is Russell and I first met Dave and the rest of The Beat Family in 1996 when I was 16 years old in San Francisco’s Juvenile Hall, YGC. I was in a very difficult time in my life then.