Standouts - The Beat Within

Standouts
Standouts Volume 17.01/02
Santa Clara County
Big Dog
I said I’m a big dog, you’re a little bow wow
Go back to school homeboy and make your mom proud.
I’m here to let you know, homie I ain’t tryin’ to start a beef
I’m just tryin’ to stack a mill
Without playin’ the lottery
I’m here to take the title, yeah I’m destined to win
The best of the best, you can rate me as a ten
I’m tryin’ to touch a mill, man
Forget a couple thou - wow
I’m a big dog homie, you’re a little bow wow.
-Persian
From The Beat: What is it that makes you a “big dog”? We hope it’s
something positive, like being a good role model and not getting into
trouble…
Close Call
Well, I just want to talk about one time in my life I could’ve been
done. My life could’ve ended when I got shot in the leg. Out of those
twelve bullets, one hit me. When they were shooting at me they were
not far away from me. They were so close by that they could’ve shot
me in my dome and I would’ve been done. So what I think is that God
does exist and he didn’t want me dead. That’s all for now.
-Blade
From The Beat: Wow, what an intense experience. Tell us more. Do you
feel like you were given a second chance? Are there changes you can
make so you don’t find yourself in this situation again?
Valentine’s Day
What’s up, Beat? This is Shaggy coming to you from the hall. I’ll tell
you a story of when I got saved on Valentine’s Day. We were outside
of my apartment chillin’, puffin’ on some trees. Then out of nowhere
we heard gunshots. There were six people there and nobody moved
‘cause we didn’t see who was shooting.
Then my cousin saw who it was and started running. Then everybody
started to run. I ran inside my apartment. While I was running, I
looked back and saw my cousin get shot and collapse. He got up
and went to his house and collapsed again in the living room. His
eyes were rolling back in his head and blood started to come out
his mouth.
Next thing I knew the ambulance was there and took him to the
hospital. Thankfully he was back in his house a week later and safe.
-Smokinitus
From The Beat: You must be very thankful that your cousin was okay.
Thank you for sharing this experience with us. We hope you and your
family can get out of this cycle of violence.
Saved
To be saved to me it means a lot because if I weren’t saved I wouldn’t
see my family. And I wouldn’t see my mom; she’s the most important
in my life because without her I wouldn’t get through life. That’s the
topic I chose today, ‘til next time Beat.
-E
From The Beat: Have you shared this with your mom? We’re certain
that she would be very happy to hear how important she is to you.
Leadership
I think anybody can be a leader and some people are born with it
while others are molded to be one. I think my little cousin is a
leader because he is going to be successful in his future. He is very
small and he doesn’t follow anybody. He does his own thing.
-Unknown
From The Beat: Do you admire that your cousin doesn’t follow anybody?
Are you a follower or a leader?
TheBeatWithin.org
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Saved
I think saved means getting out of a bad situation. I remember a time
when my homies and I were rolling twelve deep. In two cars, I was
laying on my ninja’s lap. I had my gun in my waist, my partner had
his. We also had the machete in the trunk. We were packing and we
were drinking beer, having a good time.
My boy was drunk and we were looking for a party in SJ. He got
off to take a piss and got back in the car. We were in the wrong lane
with a cop behind us. I was thinking I’m going to the hall. The cop
turned on his lights and got next to us. Then he left and we seen
more cops! We headed back to the town. After this situation I think
someone was looking out for me. Late Beat.
-Youngster
From The Beat: Have you thought about how you can save yourself
from situations like this in the future? What happened in this story
sounds more like luck – but luck runs out. Keep your head up and trust
in your instincts!
My Safe Place
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!
The Safe Place
The safe place for me is my neighborhood park. It’s a pretty big park.
When I’m having trouble with my family or anything I usually head
to the park or creek that is in the park. I just chill there looking at
the river. It’s a pretty cool place. That’s all for today. Alratos.
-Creeper
From The Beat: This park sounds like a nice and relaxing place you can
go to when you want some time to yourself. What do you like most
about the park? How do you feel when you are looking in the river?
A Safe Place
I think the hall is a safe place for me. I think this is a safe place
for me because it saves me from getting badly hurt or killed. It also
saves me from picking up a new charge. It also clothes me and gives
me a place to sleep. Well, that’s all I can think of right now.
-Cholo
From The Beat: How are you using your safe time? Are you educating
yourself? Are you thinking about the things you want to accomplish
when you get out?
A True Leader
To me a leader is someone who could step up and be the man of a
family. My leader is my jefito; he’s my leader because he showed me
he’s willing to do anything for his kids. For example when my dad
found out I would get home drunk and he realized he wasn’t being
a good example for me and he couldn’t tell me right from wrong
because he was a drunk, too.
So what my dad did for me was he stopped drinking and now
he tells me that if he was able to stop for me that I should be able to
do it for him. In the hall I was able to stay cool off drugs and alcohol
for two months so I think I can in the outs. I’m going to try for my
family. It’s all I got for today Beat.
-Lil M
From The Beat: Thank you so much for sharing this. Your dad must be
very proud of you, and you should be proud, too! Find your willpower
within and you can do anything you set your mind to.