Category: Piece of the Week

-Raycheese, San Francisco I’m mad at myself for letting myself, my friends, and my family down. I made a promise to all of them that I would never become incarcerated again and do better with myself. Everyone makes mistakes, but as a young man, I know right from wrong. I had an interest in the wrong things, and it led me and others down the wrong path, which cost us our freedom and our friendship. I’m mad at myself because I left a lot of people I love and owe loyalty to. I am serving a long-term sentence, and to

-Heavy Fro, San Francisco I try my hardest to get to where I want to be. I ask for advice when I need it and learn from my mistakes. For black history month, I remember and honor Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. I chose MLK because he spoke up for black and brown people when everyone was scared to. His words made a change. Even to this day, people talk about him and repeat his speeches. I chose Rosa Parks because she stood up for herself, which got her arrested, and it made people think more clearly. They started

-Dennis, Yolo Pain is a beautiful part of the process of growth. I have been through tremendous amounts of pain, physically and mentally.  That made me the man I am today, which puts me through so much pain, and it made me very humble and resilient. This is a key component to success.  If you don’t know how to use your pain to your advantage, it can become an anchor to your life.

-Alejandra, San Mateo “Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” Oprah Winfrey This quote stands out to me because a new year is always a new start. Don’t let last year be what your new year will be. This is the time where you manifest all your dreams and hopes. Don’t get discouraged. Keep thriving to reach your goals.  Let go of all the grudges you hold on to. Forgive them and stop carrying all that negative energy on you! 

-Tyler, Santa Cruz I wish my dad didn’t die. Unfortunately, he’s dead. I can’t bring him back. They say to keep someone alive, you have to remember them. That’s true, I believe.  My heart mirrors my dad’s. Every time I see my reflection in the window, I see my dad. My dad is my best friend. I remember all the good qualities my dad has.  He lives within me. 

-Mighty Mouse, Marin The more you grow up, the more you realize that life is short and comes with lots of regrets. You can live your life with regrets, or you can live your life like it’s your last day on Earth.  One thing you can’t do is blame people or things for not doing things you wish you could have done. If I could, I would love to go back and relive my moments in high school, relive relationships, and relive moments I’ve been through.  I think about wanting to go back and fixing what I messed up as

-Mando, San Mateo A way I am going to give back to my community is by being a positive mentor to the next up and coming generation. I want to be a messenger through experience by using my strengths to empower other youth.  I want to help them get out of their drowning water and help them make it to shore. I want to drop gems that will then be passed down. That’s my way of giving back. I want to do this when I come home and plan to succeed in it. That’s all I have Beat.  Stay safe.

-Myles, San Mateo I’m disappointed in the school systems. I have seen and personally experienced this system give up on youth that need a bit of extra support. Instead of showing their authentic care and trying to help you catch up, they just decide to say you’re a lost cause and send you to different schools.  Although for some a fresh start can be helpful, others may find it as unmotivating and just give up. Because they begin to fit into the labels the system gives. It’s frustrating because there are many people with potential for a bright future but

-JD, Albuquerque, NM “It’s hard knowing who to trust with your personal life when you cry in your room at night, you don’t always know who to call so I am very close to my family.”  This is a quote from Lady Gaga. It’s a very understanding quote because it makes you really think. Not only that, it’s very inspirational. This gives you an outlook on life. It’s showing you not to just trust anyone.  It also shows tough love because you can’t always trust family either, so you might have to put up your guard on that. You’re going

-Isaac, Santa Cruz I have witnessed and experienced many incredible and drastic things in my lifestyle that I have continued to choose to live. One thing I would change is the way I talk to people and not praise the decisions I make to others.  I always encourage betterment and success to others especially in The Beat Within journal prompts. I would have encouraged a more strong positive mind upon individuals. I encourage a more positive attitude in aiding and assisting the minority groups. Especially someone in need and someone who’s making bad choices.  I would want to change them