Author: mpau@thebeatwithin.org

Remember Dad in June 

Piece of the Week

by Macon June always reminds me of my father, not because it’s Father’s Day but it is also his birthday. My dad is one of the best dads I could ever wish for. When I was playing football, my dad would always take me to the park to work on my skills. He would also come to all my football practices and games.  Even though my dad is always in and out of jail, he would always be there for me for the little time that he would be free. Besides my mom, my dad is the only person I can

Continue Reading

Don’t Just Count The Days, But Make The Days Count – Muhammad Ali

The Beat Without

by Edgardo Ruiz I remembered sitting inside a holding cell waiting for sentencing, asking myself how did I allow myself to reach this low? When did I become so callous that I didn’t even care about my own life, let alone the life and feelings of others? How did I become so self-centered, selfish, egotistical and repulsive?  Looking back to my childhood, I realized how innocent and carefree life was. You see, my upbringing was a little different. I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico where the ocean breeze was ever so lightly, the sunshine bright as ever and

Continue Reading

Can You Hear Me Now?

Piece of the Week

by Jeff Can you hear me now? Now that I’m shackled and chained Can you hear me now? Now that the “threat” has been contained Can you hear me now? Now that I no longer choke on these unspoken words Tell me can you hear me now? Now that the news has made people think I’m an animal Can you hear me now? Now that you know where I come from Can you hear me now? I try to tell people I’m a good kid Can you hear me now? Detectives trying to send me away for years Can they

Continue Reading

Solitary Confinement

The Beat Without

by Michael Webb Prison is the most unforgiving place in the world. In this environment, it’s all about surviving and protecting yourself from other prisoners who prey on the weaker prisoners. Some prisoners believe if they can’t get some of your store or personal packages, then you don’t matter and some would even try to pressure you out of your stuff. So, you have to stand up for yourself and not become a victim. Sometimes standing up for yourself can get you placed in solitary confinement. For me, I consider going to solitary confinement a badge of honor. Being in

Continue Reading

When I Was Little

Piece of the Week

by Jazminegee When I was little I used to have no worries in the world When I was little I was just an ordinary little girl When I was little I didn’t know right from wrong When I was little I didn’t care to think where I belonged When I was little the innocence was shattered And now that I’m older I try to convince myself that none of that even mattered When I was little I lost my dad on my brother’s birthday And every year it makes him sad When I was little my mom was addicted to hard

Continue Reading

Be A Game Changer

The Beat Without

by Michael Arreygue Cesar Chavez. The co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union, once said that “students must have initiative, they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves and be free.” Upon reading this quote and reflecting on my life, how much society has changed, not only do students, but we as people, must always take initiative. Students taking initiative can be seen today, as it has been seen in history. One must always take initiative not only to create change, but to build up one’s character, self-esteem, and motivate all those similarly

Continue Reading

AD’s Story

Piece of the Week

by AD When I was growing up in Antioch I thought I had my life figured out I was just a kid in the ghetto Playing football and going to school Until at seven I got sent to a foster home That’s when my life started to change I started building up anger and depression I was with my foster parents for two years Then I went home thinking it was ok But I started acting up in school, at home, and in the neighborhood The at the age of nine I got sent to another foster home This time

Continue Reading