-JRS, Sonoma Look, we all got bad habits. Whether it be drugs, alcohol, fighting, talking back, gang life shhh, the list goes on. My bad habit is being a chameleon, trying to fit in no matter what crowd. But I’ve fit in more with people when I’m just being myself. I’m goofy, serious, nerdy, a little crazy, and got one hell of a mouth on me, but I got friends and family that love and cherish me for me. My friends and family are my support system, and I’ve been breaking my habit for three years now but still catch
Continue ReadingAuthor: mpau@thebeatwithin.org
I’m the Master of My Flow
-Donald, San Quentin State Prison, CA As I was growing up, I was someone who, for the most part, went with the flow because it was easier. I knew what to expect and it was less painful, and less disappointing. When I did make plans and they fell through for whatever reason, I would take it personal and see it as a reflection of how others saw me. I was a failure. That ultimately became my truth about myself which caused me to miss out on so many opportunities to prove others and myself wrong. It was easier to just
Continue ReadingOur Duty and Right
-André, California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville, CA “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” Chinua Achebe I love this metaphor! It strikes a chord on so many levels. Thinking about the current climate we’re in and this banning of books era we’re experiencing, there is an effort by our government to silence certain voices. The idea is to paint a “prettier” picture of the country and sweep the pain, loss, and struggle of some under the rug. Another quote fits perfectly with this: “history is written by the victor.” It is our duty
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Volume 30.15/16
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 30.15/16
Hello and welcome to our Beat community near and far! With longer days ahead and the fields in bloom, we’re so glad to have you with us today and always. For this issue’s editorial note, we’re bringing our good friend and colleague OT to our pages as he reflects on his personal experience with one of our recent prompts, “Things I Hate to Hear.” No matter who or where we are, no matter our age or maturity level, there’s certain phrases coming from certain people that really gets our blood boiling. Welcome, Omar, to the editorial pages! We welcome you
Continue ReadingWe Need the Whole Story
-Julia, Marin “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” Chinua Achebe This quote to me seems to say that until both stories or sides are told, only the one told will be telling the events. One person will always prevail; they will tell it in the sense that all glory goes to them. To me, the hunter in other terms is the good person and the lion is the typical bad person. But that’s a black and white version. To me, looking deeper into the quote would be the gray portion. When we don’t
Continue ReadingHe’s One of a Kind
-Alejandra, San Mateo Hey, today they want me to talk about my ideal partner. My ideal partner is my boyfriend. He is everything I look for in a guy. He’s smart, respectful, loving, good looking, and he spoils me always. He’s nothing like the guys in our generation. He’s one of a kind. We’ve been through hell and back. No matter what, we’re always there for each other. He makes me feel happy, excited, and loved. We’ve been together since I was thirteen and he was fourteen. I remember it like it was yesterday. He’s my twin, my other half.
Continue ReadingHe Remembers He Has a Daughter
-T, San Bernardino For basically the majority of my life my father wasn’t really present. He was always out in the streets doing things that would always take him back to the same place. He has been getting locked up ever since I was little enough to not understand. I would say that a big role of why the way he lives his life is partly because of the drugs he does. The other reason is because of the adrenaline he gets from running away from the police. He enjoys the way he lives, except for when reality hits him
Continue ReadingThe Real Me
-John, San Quentin State Prison, CA I came to this country when I was sixteen with an unrealistic self-concept of what being successful looks like. Unfortunately, I did not have the grades nor the language to achieve those unattainable goals. Without a clean path to succeed, I just adapted and pretended to be more than I was. It was a costly practice. As a young adult, I worked for lawyers, politicians, and other extremely rich, powerful and successful people, by societal standards. I learned to talk like them, dress like them and think like them because I thought I wanted
Continue ReadingChange My Perspective of Life
-Aorrell, Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, CA Being in prison and losing my younger brother to gun violence has been by far the hardest and most challenging thing I have ever had to experience. Usually, I know all the right words to say, but through my constant flow of tears, insurmountable pain, combined with the harsh reality of being trapped inside of a world of pain. It’s hard to find the right word to say. Where do I even begin? Never once did I ever imagine a life without him. It seems like yesterday when we were kids. I
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