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
Continue ReadingWasted Time
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
Continue ReadingMy Hero
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
Continue ReadingI Write
by Efren Bullard, Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, CA I write because it’s very important that I do my best to expose the violence that so many are comfortable with. Not only did I kill two people, I took away a son, brother, cousin, uncle, nephew, grandchild, father and friend to so many, the moment I decided to pull the trigger. I change so many lives and I understand that I violated the trust of so many people that I can never say sorry enough to the family of my victims or the victims I robbed. I can’t imagine what
Continue ReadingThis Is My Story
by Tommy Traughber, Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, CA The house was dark and quiet. The only noise was the constant hum that was coming from the swamp cooler encased in the frame of our bedroom window. I lay there awake in my bed, as my brother, Billy, slept soundly in the bed atop of mine. Like many nights, I lay there with my thoughts running rampant about the dream my brother Billy and I had shared for as long as I can remember, which was to be the world’s greatest wrestling tag-team. It had been all that we
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Volume 26.35/36
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 26.35/36
Happy 25th Anniversary to the one and only, The Beat Within! What a benchmark! What an amazing journey! We have definitely learned plenty from those early days back in the 1990s, to where we are today, September 2021. We are humbled and full of gratitude for this trek we have been on. From the early days, when San Francisco, the mothership, was where we were birthed the magazine, as the youth shared their feelings on the death of Tupac Shakur, to where we are today in nearly 25 + sites. We are touched and very proud to be on this
Continue ReadingNew Beginning
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
Continue ReadingTo Be a Grown Up
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
Continue ReadingHappy 25th Anniversary, Beat!
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!
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