Category: Piece of the Week

by David-Michael, Santa Clara My hero is my sister. Ever since we were young I was always getting into trouble, either if it was fighting or causing problems. My family stopped caring, started calling me a delinquent or the black sheep of the family. But my sister was never like that. She always took care of me, left dinner on the table when I would come home late, or even after a fight when I would come home bleeding and bruised up, she never judged me. She would always clean my cuts and scold me as if she was my

by Cam, James Ranch, Santa Clara 2Pac is a rapper that changed the world. His music is very powerful. I like his words. I’m just like him, I just speak facts. I like him because he is a very powerful artist.  He is not just a rapper, he is an actor. Two of my favorite movies by him is All Eyez On Me and Juice.  My favorite songs are Changes, Dear Mama, Hit ‘Em Up, California Love, Do For Love, and All Eyez On Me. I like those songs because of the way he does his flow and how he

by Precilla, Los Angeles The time I’ve wasted is my biggest regretSpent in this place. I will never forget.Just sitting in here thinking about the things I have done.The crying, the laughing, the hurt, and the fun.Now it’s just me and my hard driven guiltBehind a wall of emptiness allowed to be built.I’m trapped in my body just wanting to runBack to my youth with laughter and fun.But the chase is over and there’s no place to hide.Everything is gone including my prideWith reality suddenly right in my face.I’m scared I’m stuck in this place.Now memories flash through my head

by Sebastian, Sonoma A hero is somebody who has managed to learn and teach others about themselves, in order to allow others to understand their experiences are not isolated in the world. Making it a little less scary or lonely.  Mike Tyson is my hero. Not because he has money. Not because he was a world champion at 21 years old. But because of the man and the human being he has become. From a life of pain, sorrow, anger, loneliness, and resentments. With the guidance of a mentor, he was able to channel his anger and ferocity into a

by Mikey, Santa Clara My new beginning is a new relationship with my girl while living with her. That’s what’s going to be new, because we have met in person but we never lived with each other. Man, it’s crazy how you go from talking to each other to actually living with that person. Damn, I never thought that I would be living with my girl when I get out of this place. Man, it gets closer and closer to me actually getting out and moving to a new city to live with her. It’s going to be strange at

by Amar, Santa Clara I don’t consider myself a grown-up yet, even though I’m eighteen. I don’t think age makes you an adult, but being responsible does. Being able to handle money makes you responsible. Most kids don’t have the habits of saving or investing money, which builds self-responsibility and responsibility for your loved ones. When you have money saved and some invested in stocks, you are able to fend for yourself in situations like car problems, payments, and can help your loved ones if they need to be lent money.  If you are broke, living check to check, you

Jesus, San Diego Happy 25th Anniversary, Beat. I am honored to be a part of this organization. I have been with this program for almost 20 months. If this program didn’t benefit me I would not contribute. I am grateful that this program has found me. I was in a very dark place and this program was my light.  I have a hard time expressing my emotions vocally but I’m good on paper. I just want to say thank you. I appreciate The Beat and I’m not sure what I would do without it or where I’d be within!

by TM, Sacramento Every day in my cell not being home, I overthink if my mom is still okay. Is she doing good? Does she have enough money for herself? How is her and my little sister doing? Is she/they stressed because I am in jail? And have things changed since I been in jail? Are they hurt or emotionally hurt? I be worried sick in my cell everyday about them and to get them off my mind. Nothing ever works because they are always, always on my mind. I try to do things like play basketball or draw to

by D, Sacramento Being an overthinker is one of the worst things you can be. Most battles are in your mind and if you are an overthinker like I am, it can be hard. When you are an overthinker, you think very deeply into a certain subject.  Sometimes deeper than you need to. You start to think about what-if’s and what can possibly happen. Overthinking can cause anxiety and maybe even depression. You can spend hours and even days thinking over and over about a specific thing.  Overthinking can also be a good thing. It can lessen the possibilities of

by AL, Santa Clara  Life is not always easy, there’s a constant struggle occurring every single day. But it’s a beautiful struggle, and I refuse to succumb to my adversities. Instead, I learn and I grow from my mistakes ‘cause life’s a test.  Being in here showed me it’s lonely at the top when you focused on doing better and bigger things. People envy you, they rather see me dead or in prison ‘til you rot before they ever give you props. I’ve been going through a lot but I ain’t got nothin’ to prove. I learned tryin’ to please