Standouts - The Beat Within

TheBeatWithin.org
Page 41
What Makes a Leader?
Hey, what’s good with The Beat Within? This be El Serio. I am back
in this place, missing my homies and my lady too… Well, I am going
to talk about being a leader. To be a leader you have to be smart. You
have to trust leaders and they have to trust you. You should know
how to listen to what they think, and you have to respect them. And
that’s me there. Well, I am out.
-El Serio
From The Beat: Those are great qualities of leaders, and it’s great that
you see yourself as one. But do you think being in the hall changes
how others see you? Does it take away respect or trust? Make sure you
don’t lose the trust of those you lead.
A Walk
A safe place for me to go when I’m mad or sad would be out for a
walk or just listening to music and rapping, and then I would have
a smile on my face because I’d know how dumb I sounded, but it’s
okay as long as it keeps me out of trouble.
Well Beat, today I’m happy. Maybe because my mom came to
see me. The most important woman of my life. Well beat this is it
for now. So take care and hope to see you son. I’m out!
-Jonathan
From The Beat: Jonathan – thanks for sharing this! We hope you tell
your mother how important she is to you – it will warm her heart.
Protected
My safe place is my house because I know my mom will protect me
and she will feed me and give me what I need. My house is my safe
place also because if I’m stressed I can go to my room and chill out
or the same if I’m angry. I’ll chill out or see the TV. That’s the topic
I chose today. ‘Til next time beat.
-E
From The Beat: I’m sure a lot of readers can relate with you on this one.
Be sure to tell your mom how you feel, she will appreciate it!
Getting Out
Once you get out of juvie it feels so good. You tell yourself you don’t
want to ever come back. But most of us do. It’s a fact. Well, once I got
out on house arrest and I had ninety days. But after a while I failed.
Once I got out again I had to do ninety days again! After last time
I failed and am here now. I really, really never want to come back.
Wish me luck!
-Waldo
From The Beat: We’re glad that you don’t want to go back to juvie, and
we wish you lots of luck! But actions are more important than luck.
What can you do to make sure you stay out for good?
Is Life What It Seems?
In life you can’t ever win
‘Cause first they love you,
Then they hate you,
Then they love you again.
Get away from me, loneliness.
Get away from me, misery.
Get away from me, fake ninjas.
I can’t take your phoniness.
I open up my background
So you so you can see what I’m dealing with.
Eighteen in the game, so I have to explain
When life is gone what still remains.
-Wizzykashh
From The Beat: We know life can be hard and it’s difficult to trust others.
Even if you’ve been hurt by a lot of people, don’t give up because you
will find people who will be there for you and make life better.
Standouts Santa Clara County Volume 17.01/02
The System
The system is playing too much. I turned myself in this November
after I found out I had a warrant. My warrant was for not going to
school for a few days. When I came in and went to my detention
hearing, they said I was getting out in a of couple weeks.
When the day came I was continued again and they said I
was getting out in December. But now they are saying I might get
continued again, and if this program doesn’t accept me then I’m
doing six months hall time or hitting the ranch. That would suck
because I will miss Christmas, my son being born and my birthday.
If I get out I am going to go to school and do good in this program.
-Bird
From The Beat: We’re sorry to hear that you might have missed out on
a lot in December. Hopefully you can do well in your program, stay out
of trouble, and be there for your son.
Away from the Streets
My New Year’s resolution is to, when I get out, stay away from the
streets for a while. If I get out on EMP I’m going to finish my EMP
so that next time when I come to the hall they will give me another
chance.
I might be back soon when I get out ‘cause I think I have another
assault coming my way. But I hope I get released for Christmas, and
if they want to give me another assault I hope its after New Years.
I’m going to stay low for a while if I get released. My last trial is
coming up and I hope to win my case. I’ll get to just walk out of
the hall with nothing. Well I hope to go through with my New Year’s
resolution.
-Lil M
From The Beat: Have you ever considered making a daily resolution?
Big changes don’t have to wait for a new year to happen!
The Safe Place
What up, Beat? So today I’m write about my safe place. My safe
place is the hall because I am away from the violence, which I like...
in the outs it’s like if I’m in war fighting with gang members. When
I’m in the hall I’m calm and secure, but I could still make the hall
violent by doing rumbles with other gang members.
In the outs if I do something someone would end up hurt,
which I try to do when I make violence. But the good thing is that
am locked up right now. But hopefully I’m released tomorrow. I’m
going to go to the streets to look for some violence. Mucho love to
my jefita and jefito.
-S
From The Beat: Why are you trying to create violenece—isn’t that
opposite of a safe place?
Good Program
My New Year’s resolution is to go and have a good program at the
ranch so I can get out and be with my family. When I get out I also
hope to get my high school diploma so I can go to college. I also
want to get a job to help out my family and my baby mama. I also
hope to stay out of trouble and to be good.
-Lil G
From The Beat: What do you want to study in college? What kind of job
would be your dream job?
Capable
My New Year’s resolution is to be home by the summer and if not
I would be disappointed in myself because I would feel like I’ve
failed myself in many ways. I know I am capable of doing good and
completing the obstacles they set up for me.
-Darelle
From The Beat: Keep your head up. We know you have what it takes to
knock down those obstacles and make a better life for yourself.