Juvenile Justice Information Exchange (https://jjie.org/category/ideas-and-opinions/the-beat-within/page/4/)
The Beat Within, a publication of writing and art from incarcerated youth, was founded by David Inocencio in San Francisco in 1996. Weekly writing and conversation workshops are held in California, six other states and Washington, D.C. Submissions and new partners are welcomed. Write to him at dinocencio@thebeatwithin.org.
At 15 I know that it seems like you’ve got nothing to live for and so much to die for. From trying to come up as a little homie to living lavish with those Ecstasy pills you’re running through like candy.
I’m telling you now you will never settle the scores for those deaths. In the process of your pain you will only harm innocent people that had no hand in either of your losses.
I remember a day not long ago sitting in my California prison cell doing what I'd done so many countless other times through the electric fence and razor wire, staring out my window.
When I was growing up I thought forgiveness was weakness. I believed you shouldn’t turn the other cheek or be meek towards those who wronged you because that’s weak. I believed you get even or you pay it forward toward someone else. I tried to get even and stay one or two up to ease the pain and prevent myself from being hurt again. I built a wall of toughness, selfishness, anger and a hardened heart.
Every story whether it be fiction, nonfiction, dramatic, happy or sad, all have the same structure, they all have a beginning, a middle and an end.
The same goes for people's lives.
I felt like the world was going to end. He disrespected my religion for one, so I don’t like him or what he believes in. But I got to work with him so it is what it is.
Dear Mr. President,
You having a chance to become the first African-American president of the United States has set a great example for many troubled, young African-American men like myself.
OK, this is a hard one for me to write for a number of reasons, chief among them being the fact that I must hold myself accountable, as well as be held by all who will read this.
I grew up in the rough part of San Jose; the east side. I ran with the local crew and began to participate in gang activity. My first encounter with the law was at the age of 13.
One can be successful without having to hit rock bottom. It is very easy to go to prison but very difficult to come out.
At the age of 15 I was sent to Los Padrinos (LP) Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles.