Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this latest issue.
Continue ReadingYear: 2015
That 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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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.
Continue ReadingFearless
by Miguel Quezada Being willing to go alone requires being fearless in the face of the unknown and being courageous in the adversity of the world saying, “you will fail”. My lack of con dence was because I had learned one way of life. That was to be down with my homies and neighborhood. The beliefs I adopted were those things we learn in the neighborhood: loyalty, trust, honor, respect; these values were real and I would have defended them with my life. This belief system was and is powerful and at that time I lacked the courage to break away
Continue ReadingA Simple Photo That Means a Million Words
by Bryce There are many things in my life that I own and cherish. From childhood trophies and items my lovely parents got me, to simple things as pictures and blankets my grandmother would make me. Out of these things I tend to cherish and remember the pictures the most. It is more than just a simple picture, it is a photo that means a million words and memories. Something that I will carry with me for the rest of my time living in this world because when you lay your eyes on that picture, it paints a whole world in
Continue Reading