Ed Note 24.25/26

The power of expression is loud and clear in our latest double issue of The Beat Within, 24.25/26. We are incredibly impressed by all our amazing contributors who courageously share their truths and art each week in our one of a kind writing workshop sessions. The end result being published in our national magazine, The Beat Within, which reaches those (young and old) in the community and local schools, to those in custody (around the country). We hope you enjoy this latest issue!  Now as the school year comes to a close, for this week’s editorial note, we’re welcoming the

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Carelessness

by Harry C. Goodall You never really realize what you have until you lose it. My life, and freedom was just as that. Freedom is something that I had placed no value on. There has been nothing I have been more careless with than giving away decades of my life. Can you imagine someone that got good grades in school, and excelled in sports, only to leave it all behind to feel a part of something else. Basically, I was chasing love and attention in the streets I grew up in. When in reality all I had to do was

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A Second Chance for Change

 by Jesus, Santa Cruz Have you ever been in any kind of situation when someone or even yourself is asking or even begging for a second chance? I’m pretty sure we all have at some point in our life. We all make mistakes that we will regret at some point. I have, and I’ve been in so many different kinds of situations where I’m the one asking for another chance or for forgiveness.  The most common situation that we all have as humans is in relationships. This situation can happen to us at any time, and more than likely it will

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Chances Are Needed

by Dakota What is a chance? A chance is a opportunity that is given by someone. Chances can both be use for good and for bad. Chances also can be taken for granted. We all have a moment in life where we wish we could take something back. We all have made mistakes. I personally think everyone deserves chances. I think someone could get a to better their life. I have gotten many chances in my life. I have never taken one. I am in Chaves County Detention Center in Roswell, New Mexico, because I used my chances in the

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Epiphany

by Xavierre Allen Most of us in prison have looked back on our lives. Some with regret, some with sadness, some with anger. In looking back on your own life, have you ever come across one point in time, one thing or another, one action you did, or turn you made, even one fleeting second where you realize, ‘that was it’? That is where everything changed, nothing was ever the same after that. You had an epiphany where you come to the realization that the decision you made at that moment changed the path you were on for better; or most times, for

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Ed Note 24.23/24

Welcome friends and colleagues to our latest double issue of the one and only The Beat Within.  We are thrilled to have back in our pages, the one and only, OT! OT,  if you did not know, is truly our right hand man when it comes to supporting this one of a kind publication and we could not ask for a better colleague and friend to share his truths in this week’s editorial note. Allow us to cut to the chase and hand the keyboard over to OT!  This is OT once again with the privilege to hear your stories,

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New Year Essay

by Eduardo I came into the world crying and fighting. I really had nothing but my mom since a little kid. I grew up holding so much pain and anger inside me. I always felt like I didn’t fit in. I felt alone, like I wasn’t meant to be in this world. My only memory of my pops was of him abusing my mom. I grew up hating him and promising myself that I would never need him in my life.   After he left us, all I remember is the struggle my mom had to go through just to pay

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What Second Chance?

by George “Mesro” Coles-El All my life I heard about second chances. “This person has a second chance at life…that person earned a second chance to prove their worth…The other person gets a chance to change the world…” I am heartened by the idea of a second chance and pray it is not squandered.  However, I have never been given a second chance at anything. What I mean by that is every time I have had a chance to do a thing like work a dream job or present great work, I usually miss the shot, and can never try

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