by David Stanton Jr. (I) Once was a baby, then a small child, and then a young teen, as well as a young adult, but now I am a middle-age elderly adult (being) 60-and-a-half years old, but basically that makes me part of all of you, which is human. Living in this great big world of humanity. And whether you are “male” or “female” sometimes words of Wisdom, can help you change your lives for the (better) especially if you’re going down the (dark roads) of life, and to continue going down the dark roads is, (insanity) so please listen
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About this campaign For 24 years, The Beat Within has been providing incarcerated youth and adults with consistent opportunities to share their ideas and life experiences in a safe space that encourages literacy, self-expression, critical thinking skills and healthy supportive relationships with the community.
Continue ReadingVolume 24.49/50
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 24.49/50
Greetings readers and writers of The Beat Within! It’s been a while since we’ve published the voices of our hard working high school interns, who often transcribe pieces that come to us through adult institutions, published in The Beat Without section. We’re happy to welcome Catherine who has been working with us over the past few months. In her reflection, Catherine talks about her ability to relate to the writers she encounters, regardless of how she and the writer appear on the outside. Thank you Catherine for your contributions and believing in our mission. Relating On An Emotional Level The
Continue ReadingWhy Does Justice Keep Passing Me By?
by Bobby Bostic Justice sounds fair. It is a good concept. It is a great word, but hundreds of thousands of prisoners such as myself wonder when will we ever find justice. Why does this word allude us? Why doesn’t the Constitution apply to us? All of the so-called “just” laws on the books sound good in theory but we keep seeking justice but she seems to escape our grasp. The only people that we see getting even a little justice is those who are wealthy or have family connections. The vast majority of us feel like we will never
Continue ReadingMy Story
by Rodrigo During my time as a junior in high school, I wasn’t no Einstein. I did the least amount of school work and I didn’t like reading. Whenever I had a test, it felt like the real test was how to cheat without getting caught. On my last day of my junior year, I turned in my final test. I passed it with a little help from my friend sitting in the desk to the right of me. I felt accomplished. When the principal of the school came to the classroom and told me to come with her and
Continue ReadingThankful for Grandma
by Lil Danny I find myself thankful for my grandma, because she’s always been there for me. She raised me whenever my dad wasn’t around. She means a lot to me because she tried to keep me out of trouble. She told me to do right, but it was hard, because all I knew was wrong. She tried to help me whenever she could. She picked me up from the police station before they took me to juvenile hall. She gave me advice to do right. She told me she’ll take me to places if I behaved good. She gave
Continue ReadingVolume 24.47/48
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 24.47/48
Greetings! Another week, another Beat! We are thrilled to present you with this amazing, one of a kind, heartfelt and moving double issue, 24.47/48, of The Beat Within. Like every issue we create, this is full of writing and artwork to inspire and give hope. We are grateful to you writers who embrace our workshop topics, as well as you writers who independently reach out to us with your submissions, thank you all. Your writings are more important now than ever before.  We believe the impact you have on our readers is tremendous and we can’t thank you enough
Continue ReadingIn My Teens Now
by Jeremiah I don’t remember being born, but I do remember my birthplace, Kaiser Permanente, Redwood City, CA. The first house I remember living at was in Oakland, CA, where I had my moms and pops, and an older brother. Before me, they lived in San Mateo, CA. I have dull memories at the Oakland house, but major events took place. A man laid in the street dead, I was about three years old when I seen that. I split my head open on the corner of marble stairs, leaving a permanent scar on my forehead. Think that’s harsh? One
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