Author: mpau@thebeatwithin.org

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

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

by Johnny C. Perez On November 20th, 1991, I was a gang member. At around 9:33pm that night I was riding a moped. I didn’t give much thought to how dangerous it was for me to be out at that time of night. The past two years, two gang associates had been murdered, and many more shot. I wasn’t thinking about that. I was a sixteen years old having fun. In the blink of an eye, there was a blazer in front of me with a person half way out the passenger window shooting at me. I was hit in