Standouts - The Beat Within

TheBeatWithin.org
Page 59
Upset
The time I got my family mad was when I constantly disrespected
them by treating them bad because I sold everything in my house
for drugs because I was addicted to meth. It was a tough challenge.
-Jonathan
From The Beat: Wow, to look back on that experience I am sure gives
you a completely different perspective. We hope it shows you how
destructive these types of drugs are on your mind and body. If you
were to return home tomorrow, what would you say to your family?
What positive plan of action would you have to ensure that you do not
repeat the same behavior? You might want to write about this.
A Dark, Sunny Day
On a sunny day I woke up and my brothers were gone. My mom was
crying. I asked my mom why she was crying. My brother had been
shot.
I thought the gang life was the life to live. Seeing my brother
shot in the hospital was supposed to make me un-like it. But it made
me deeper. So I started to hang out daily.
-Tinyt
From The Beat: We would like to know why seeing your brother shot
made you go deeper into the gang life? What do you think your brother
would say to you if he could tell you right now? It’s something to think
about. We encourage you to explore this topic further in your writing.
Candy
One of my favorite candies is Starbursts. They come in a rectangular
long packet. There are a lot in it. When you open it up there are little
squares. They come in different colors. Starbursts are sweet and
sometimes sour and they are really juicy, to the point where they
make your whole mouth water and you start to drool. Sometimes
people even smack. My second favorite is Rollo’s. They come in a
circular packet and they are round milk chocolate circles filled with
sweet, gooey caramel.
-Shanee
From The Beat: Really great descriptions here! You have done such a
good job that we can almost imagine that we are eating one as we
read this!
Snickers
My favorite candy is Snickers. It’s my favorite because it’s just so
tasty. I love when you bite into it and you taste the chocolate caramel
nutty bar. The few seconds eating a bar is wonderful. It makes you
crave for another one nonstop, just eating that bar. Mmmm I can
taste it already.
-Leiniesha
From The Beat: This could be an ad for Snickers! Great description. You
obviously have a passion for this candy bar!
Sixty seconds of Thanks
In the fifth grade, I won a student of the month award thanks to
my grandma. She always encourages me to do well and offers me
rewards, which gets me motivated. I struggled in history, but was
always on top with math and English thanks to the help my grandma
and grandpa would give me.
I also thank my teacher for encouraging me and making me feel
valuable when I got good credits. Thank you.
-Brittany
From The Beat: Wow, that’s excellent. That is something you will
probably never forget: the encouragement of your grandma and
grandpa and also your teacher. Excellent job with your grades. It
makes a big difference when we receive encouragement and rewards
for our good deeds. Follow the path your grandparents showed you,
even when you don’t receive encouragement. It is worth it to work hard
and succeed.
Standouts Los Angeles County Volume 17.01/02
Baby Love
One thing that really saved my life was my son. If it wasn’t for
Jeremiah, I probably would be dead. Something I wish I could
escape from is my past. My baby’s daddy is a manipulative, abusive
psychopath and I wish I could delete him from my life.
I don’t follow because following, most of the time, leads you
into a corrupt lifestyle. I can’t get away from my first and only. He
meant so much to me. The father of my first born son just won’t let
me be. We fight and scream then he begs me “please don’t go.” He is
the father of my child and I won’t let him come into a broken home.
-Lady Bug
From The Beat: Very good writing. You are not alone in your feelings
of not being able to escape from a bad situation. Just know that we
encourage you not to stay in an abusive relationship, nor should your
child be exposed to that.
I Hate It When
I hate it when I’m in juvenile hall.
I hate it when I can’t play ball.
I hate it when I can’t stay in school.
I hate it when people try to act all cool.
I hate it when I can’t be home.
I hate it when I get all stoned.
But one thing I hate the most about this all…
I hate juvenile hall.
-Desmond
From The Beat: Many of the things you hate are things that you can
control. You can control staying out of juvie, staying in school, going
home and not getting stoned. Now let’s see you get out there and get
back the things you love to do!
The Time
When you are in jail time really goes slow for some people or for
others they like to spend time in here. I bet half of the people here
don’t even care about you or themselves. I don’t really think about
it. Really this juvenile hall is really nothing, just a waste of time for
me like a child care. Unless it’s something serious it varies when
it is serious.
I am a serious person so I take it in deep and clear for myself to
understand. I don’t like being locked up. I’m a very anxious person.
I have personal problems and experiences. Everyone does, but some
are alike and other people just dislike it but I don’t look forward
to that. I’m just glad I haven’t been caught up for something very
severe and really bad.
Yeah I have done bad things and I feel bad about them but I
don’t go around and take it out on people. I keep it to myself but if
I have something to say I say it with a deep breath and a clear mind.
But now I can say is that I have been through it all and it’s going
by fast but slow, very slow at the same time. Especially when your
friends or nobody writes you or don’t have no idea where you are at
or where you were.
I am frustrated in here because you have to get used to these
things they do, and you are not comfortable with it or you just are
not used to it. But at least I have plans, big plans this time! I’m not
coming back. It’s going to be hard though, but tough it and suck it
in. I’m not a baby no more. I have responsibilities at this age, now I
am a grown up. But I just wasn’t doing my job.
Now I’m more than awake so I’ve been knowing it but not doing
it. But it is hell in here gotta ask permission all the time is funny to
me but gotta go along with it just to go home. Four walls and a toilet
bowl and a sink just learning how to survive in different ways every
day?
-Rob
From The Beat: Rob, great job at letting it all just flow out on paper.
What was the point at which you went from being a kid to a grown-up?
Now that you consider yourself an adult, do you think you should be
held to adult standards and adult consequences in the legal system?
Keep up the good writing, and don’t limit yourself to four walls and a
toilet bowl. We look forward to seeing more writing from you.