by Young Dad I was born on May 29th 2001 at Mercy General Hospital in downtown Sacramento, CA. I was born to a drug addicted mother who often chose drugs over taking care of me. At the time I was born we lived in North Highlands, CA. It was just me and my mom. She wasn’t working. She collected SSI due to being bi-polar, schizophrenic and having manic depression. We lived in a broke down apartment on A Street. My neighborhood, especially the block we lived on was infested with gangs, drugs and prostitution. We lived there until I was
Continue ReadingYear: 2020
Lost Elder in the “Rez”
by Cody I’m full Native American. I wasn’t born on a reservation. I have lived on a reservation for a year. My great grandma was the last elder in the “rez.†Mom saw her cousin Donna posted my great-grandma on Facebook, “need caretaker ASAP.†(I call my great grandma my grandma.) We left sometime in the weekend, took six hours to arrive at Lovelock, Nevada. I remember getting out the car with Donna to greet us at the gate. The reservation is three streets. I don’t remember the names of them, but it breaks off to a street, which is
Continue ReadingVolume 25.01/02
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 25.01/02
Happy New Year, readers and writers of The Beat Within! For our first issue of 2020 we’re showcasing more reflections from our high school student interns, who have been hard at work transcribing pieces that come to us through adult institutions for The BWO (Beat Without) section. This issue we’re highlighting two students from Urban High School of San Francisco, Robyn and Veronica. Robyn writes about the way her transcriptions have changed her perspective: how deep care for and commitment to another’s story can transpire in unlikely places. In Veronica’s reflection, she details the challenges that came with transcribing writing
Continue ReadingStepping Out My Comfort Zone
by John Clark Hello! My name is John Clark. Today I came across some literature here in reception at Delano, NKSP called Kid Cat Speaks (inside the San Quentin News). In it I read where there exists a program where I can write something that might be read to some young men in (juvenile) custody called The Beat Within. The topic is suggested, this month it’s “Comfort Zone” so I’m going to step outside of mine and speak from the heart. Please read and listen: A comfort zone can be found almost anywhere that you can get some peace. For
Continue ReadingMy Autobiography
by SP Well, it all started the day I was born. 2001, September 27, my birthday. I don’t remember too much from when I was young, but then again no one does. But I do remember a couple of details. I remember when I was seven years old, that year I didn’t have a birthday party. This year I didn’t either, but I will get back to that later. Anyways, I was born in Sacramento, at Mercy San Juan Hospital. I was born in Carmichael, but I moved all around Sacramento all my life. I lived in almost every city
Continue ReadingThis Life, My Life
by JJ It started 2002 in August, on the 8th, at 11:42pm. I was born on the same day as my grandmother on my dad’s side. Eighteen more minutes and I wouldn’t have. She was there, hoping I would be born on the same day she was. My dad was there supporting my mom. I don’t remember too much due to the fact I was so young, but my aunt tells me I was obsessed with dimes. She said I always had one in my hand and when I didn’t I was asking for one. I’m not sure when I
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