Standouts - The Beat Within

TheBeatWithin.org
Page 19
co-Pieces of the week
We All Want Peace,
But Chose Respect
Violence and madness won’t go away.
Every day, every second
People experience this beginning, and there’s no end.
It won’t go away. Peace is what we all want
But at the end, we all chose respect.
It won’t go away--the teasing, bullying.
To this knucklehead
It’s a joke they won’t regret. It won’t go away.
But myself changing will make my way there!
-Young Promise, Marin
From The Beat: Whether teasing, bullying, is a “rite of passage”
where kids test each other on their way to wo/manhood, is it any
teen’s challenge to find a way avoid, work around it? Counter, manage
it, without hurting anyone back, like ignoring the person, or using
humor?
My Mom Never Gave Up
My mom had a big impact on my life. She was the one who always
tried to lead me down the right path, but I always chose the wrong
path to go down. I always thought she didn’t care, but the truth was
there the whole time. She always cared even when I put her though
so much.
It just made her love me more because it let her know that she
has to help me when I fall, but she always told me to live out my
dreams. She would always say she didn’t have it as easy as I do, and
she wants me to take advantage of the help people are trying to give
me because the things people are trying to help me with now will
help me in the long run.
So the reason I would pick my mom is because she never
gave up on me. So I will never gave up on myself. My mom is my
inspiration to do good with my life.
-Shayna, Fresno
From The Beat: It’s wonderful that you have such a loving and
supportive mom that provides guidance. Do you have specific plans to
keep yourself on the right path once you’re home?
Better Now
I’ll be getting released in two weeks. I can’t wait because my lady is
at my pad lonely and waiting for me to come home. I feel really sad
because I never thought something like this would happen to me. It
was crazy. I was just at my pad one day with my babe and everything
was all good. We thought it was just another good day in the hood.
Suddenly someone is knocking my door. I was worried because I
was on the run and we had a lot of weed out on the table. I hear some
lady’s voice saying “Where’s your sister?”
My PO said “Yuridia come out. Put your hands behind your
back.” I came out. When I stepped into the living room my mom,
little brother, my lady, and my older brother were there with three
probation officers. My lady looked at me in the eye. She said, “I
love you.” I looked away from her. I started walking and I started
shedding tears. I got inside my PO’s car. I made my call to my mom.
Then I was like “man how did this happen?” I was very
depressed because I recently found some things out about the
people I trusted. One time, I couldn’t stop crying in my cell because
I couldn’t believe she would do me like that. Eventually, I got to
thinking and got over the situation. I decided to be strong and move
on with my life. Things happen and only God knows why.
But hey I will always stay positive. I won’t let anything bring me
down, because I’m a better and stronger person now.
-Baby Face, Santa Clara
From The Beat: What a scary day you wrote about! We are proud that
you can keep a positive outlook on the future and let go of the past.
You did a really great job using descriptive language and quotations to
make the story come alive. Excellent work!
Co-Pieces of the Week
Volume 17.01/02
Jail for Thanksgiving
It was so hard to talk to my whole family on the phone. Everyone
was mad at me because it was not a good Thanksgiving without
the whole family being there. I felt bad hearing my family have so
much fun without me, everyone saying I miss you and when are you
getting out, are you going to do good this time and not go back.
It was so hard not being able to talk to my little sister and
brother when I wanted to. It made me feel like a bad person hearing
my little sister crying and saying she doesn’t ever want me to leave
her and the family again. And seeing my mom when she came to see
me on Thanksgiving, knowing she wanted me to come home with
her and celebrate thanksgiving with the family.
-Twandre, Portland, OR
From The Beat: We understand it must be hard to spend Thanksgiving
in detention and away from loved ones, however, it definitely sounds
like you have an amazing family worth being thankful for! We hope
that when you do get out, you show your little sister, that her big
brother is home to stay!
Soul
I would say my soul is a bunch of different things; at certain times I
show different attributes. I think I cover a lot of stuff up with humor
because growing up I was kinda taught to be a man. You don’t show
fear or sadness. But another thing, I think underneath I’m a really
caring person.
-Anonymous, Portland, OR
From The Beat: We think you’ve likely spoken for a lot of people when
you say that. Living up to others expectations can be really difficult
and make you feel like you’re not being true to yourself. It took a
great deal of courage to write this to us and we appreciate it. Be
strong, be caring, we believe in you, thank you for sharing!
Alone
When I get stressed or angry I like to be alone. I don’t have a specific
place I like to be at, as long as I’m alone. I don’t want anyone to be
around me or talk to me because I don’t want to take out my anger
on anyone and hurt their feelings.
When I’m alone and away from everyone I start feeling better
and eventually forget about my anger and stress. That’s my safe
place, being alone.
-Juan, Santa Cruz
From The Beat: That’s a wise and kind reflection on your behavior. We
are impressed.
I Was Saved
Before I knew it, before I will be hurt, I was saved!
Before all the sins that would’ve put me in the grave
From taking them pills, forgetting about family
And going to the raves.
I will be saved.
Everyone deserves a second chance.
Trust me, I had thousands.
And all I messed up.
It was so hard to get up,
But things will change because I will be saved.
Days have passed, things have changed.
Knowing that my life has been rearranged
From the life that has been insane
Because life isn’t no game.
So I thank God I’ve been brave
And that I have been saved.
-A-Kid, Honlulu, HI
From The Beat: You can see that, through your efforts, you an change.
You won’t fail as long as you have faith, including faith in yourself.
Yes, everyone deserves a second change. So, give yourself, and others,
that chance. You can do it!