Another week, another Beat! We want to welcome you readers back to another double edition, issue 27.27/28, of the one and only The Beat Within. What an amazing magazine full of light, hope, and most importantly the truth, from our amazing writing community. We are always touched and inspired by all you writers and artists – young and old – who courageously step up each week to share a part of yourself with our ever-growing community of readers from around the bay, the state, the country – inside and outside of the system. Thank you all very much for embracing
Continue ReadingBlack And Beautiful
by Nae Nae, San Diego What makes me who I am is my beauty. My ability to make my friends laugh and make ‘em feel good about themselves. The reason why I chose beauty is because I think it’s great to be happy inside and outside of my skin. I value this because back in the day, we as black people used to get beat because of our color and our level of smartness. But we as black people are still pretty which is why I chose my beauty. I also really enjoy how I’m able to make my friends
Continue ReadingMy Last Tasty Supper
by Tai, San Mateo If I had my last supper I would eat some ravioli, some macaroni, and some fried chicken all together with some hot sauce. Another meal I would probably eat is a bacon burger and some nacho fries. It do be smackin’ too! I don’t know who I would share this meal with. I would probably just eat this meal by myself or with a friend. I would also eat some regular McDonald’s because I don’ really spend too much money on food. I only be buying food when I’m hungry. I could just picture myself eating
Continue ReadingStuck In A Cell (COVID)
by Lil Mikey, Santa Clara Off this shh sucks. I have been in a cell for five days. The first day I just slept. I felt like shhh. I had the chills. I had a fever and I felt like I was weak the second I felt like life freaking sucks. By the third day I felt like I was getting better. I just felt like I had a cold. By the fourth day, I felt normal again and now I feel like I’m strong back to full power. I just want to be able to go back to the
Continue ReadingWhat My Father Taught Me
by David, Alameda “Put me in a cave with wolves, and I’ll come out leading the pack.” My father has a strong personality. He’s taught me many life lessons. One being to become a leader and not a follower. I’ve been a team captain for my team ever since I was ten. “Put me in cave with wolves” means when someone leaves you stranded, you deal with it and get used to the new environment. You also play your part and try to make your environment better. “I’ll come out leading the pack.” Kind of simple. If you do me
Continue ReadingPeople
by Efren Bullard, Ironwood State Prison, Blythe, CA It’s been a while since I last sent you (The Beat) something worth reading. For the past few months I’ve been working very hard on this Commutation of Sentence. I’m trying to get the Governor of California to reduce my sentence from Life Without Parole to Life With Parole so that I can have the opportunity to go to Board for release one day. I just finished it and mailed it to my brother so he can send it into the Governor’s office. Now, I want to move forward and let you
Continue ReadingArt Translated Into Life
by Keith Erickson, Pleasant Valley State Prison, Coalinga, CA The world never looked so beautiful than it does for me today. Having spent almost forty years of my life incarcerated my perception of things around me weren’t always so glamourous. I decided to write this piece on one of my special talents, being an artist. There is more to my being skilled at this craft than simply being able to sit down and do it freely. As a kid growing up, I was fascinated by street art, graffiti and tagging. Watching the 1980’s movies like “Beat Street,” “Breaking,” and “Breaking
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Volume 27.25/26
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 27.25/26
We are back, after our summer (4th of July) break. We hope all is well with you? We are grateful to all our partners for continuing to share our prompts even during our break from workshops, thank you! We also appreciate your patience in getting this latest magazine in your hands, as we pushed our publishing deadline up a week, as we truly attempted to embrace our time off. In this latest 76 page issue, we have more writings from our dear friends in Rivarde Juvenile Hall in the Jefferson Parish in Louisiana. We also want to welcome our new
Continue ReadingYou Lied
by AV, Sacramento You never looked me in my eyesYou never cared that I criedYou told me you loved meBut go ahead tell me…you lied‘Cause the moment is hereThe moment is nowWhere I’m giving up‘Cause you let me downThey say when you dieYou’re in the skyBut we’re buriedIn the groundSometimes I wishThat I could find outGive up on lifeAnd not be aroundI know when you’re wrongAnd I know when you’re rightBut still…I never left your sideMy life has no reasonYou broke my heartInto piecesMy soulIt has purpose!This lifeIt’s not worth itI want to scream and cryBut instead…I say I’m fineI
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