If These Walls Could Talk
If These Walls Could Talk is based on testimonial writings by the youngest members of America’s prison system.
While in Juvenile Hall, detained and incarcerated youth are invited to participate in weekly writing workshops led by The Beat Within which has been publishing and distributing their art, essays and poems throughout the national juvenile justice system since 1996. The workshops inspire these young writers to dig deep, and seek meaningful insights through thought-provoking topics, and personalized feedback to each and every participant.
Youth Speaks poets worked with The Beat Within to record the poems written by incarcerated youth, which are now available for listening at http://ifthesewallscouldtalk.org/
I too was once in the depths of justice
With nothing for us to do just this
There was no hope, no form of anything fair
All we could see is the fact that we were there
This was no rehabilitation no correcting the wrong
Only a time to test ourselves and keep our bodies strong
They did nothing for us except treat us like dogs
All we could do was take their food and eat like hogs
I always showed I was down and that’s where I went
Now I’m 28 and most of my energy has been spent
It took a lot out of me but it couldn’t take it all away
Now I beg you all to listen to the words that I say
Look, Listen, Learn is a creed for my brothers
Stand Up, Reach Out, Lend a hand to another
This is what we need to bring together
And get our youth out of the system forever.