Let the Positivity Flow Through You….
This semi-regular post will attempt to highlight positivity in the martial arts from around the world. Unfortunately, it is far too easy to find negative stories on the internet. Positive ones, however, are harder to find. Let’s recognize and celebrate those martial artists and schools who are doing good things in their communities, as well as, making great accomplishments. If you are putting on any kind of event, workshop, or seminar, feel free to post it at http://www.martialartscalendar.com It can bring attention to your event and is free to use!
You can see the last installment here.
Rochester, Michigan
The Oakland University Police Department is sponsoring self-defense education for women to combat incidents of assault and violence against women on campus. Certified instructor Lieutenant Terry Ross will be teaching the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Basic Personal Defense System. R.A.D. is a realistic self-defense system that is only taught to women. Instruction will include basic and advanced courses, in addition to education on the Kubaton keychain weapon. While we hope it is never necessary, many young women will be able to learn how to defend themselves if necessary!
Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, violence against women is all too common as a part of the conflict there. As a result, Franck Kwabe teaches karate to area women. Kwabe teaches these survivors how to defend themselves as well as rebuilding their confidence. His instructor, a Frenchwoman named Laurence Fischer, travels there every year and teaches for a week. In addition, Dr. Denis Mukwege helps to heal the physical trauma these women have suffered. Continue to do the good work you are doing there!
http://m.france24.com/en/20170908-video-Reporters-dr-congo-rape-karate-women-sexual-assault-mukwege
San Diego, California, USA
High School senior Sanil Gandhi led a teen self-defense seminar recently. The proceeds benefitted Pissed Off Chicks, a non-profit group that supports victims of sexual assault. After recently volunteering at an event hosted by Pissed Off Chicks, Gandhi felt compelled to organize a seminar to teach self-defense to any young adult that showed up. Gandhi is a black belt in Taekwondo and a Level 3 in Krav Maga. In addition, he is actively working towards a Level 1 instructor in Krav Maga. Keep up the hard work Sanil!
http://www.delmartimes.net/news/sd-cm-nc-selfdefense-20170906-story.html
Clayton, Delaware, USA
Seventh-grader Faith Hewes recently competed at the third Unified International TaeKwon-Do Federation World Championships in Argentina. She is a black belt in Taekwondo and has been training since she was three and a half years old. Most notably, she placed third in individual forms and first in sparring with an overtime win! She also participated in synchronized forms with her team where they took silver and gold in different brackets. Keep training hard Faith!
http://delawarestatenews.net/news/clayton-girl-competes-taekwon-world-championships-argentina/
“Cobra-Kai”, Youtube Red, coming in 2018
(Martialjournal.com is in no way reimbursed for this.)
I know this one is different than a typical link you find here. There is an unending number of martial arts movies available to watch, so why am I mentioning this future show? Many of the movies attempt to display great fight choreography, in addition to brutal injuries. Consequently, this rarely allows for time in the dojo, or with the master giving sage advice. If these scenes do appear in a typical martial arts movie, they are given lip-service at best. Recent shows and movies like Iron Fist and Ip Man (all of them) do a good job of portraying this aspect of martial arts training.
Most of all, it was the original Karate Kid movies that really focused on the master-student relationship. In addition, it also focused on the master teaching the student how to be a good person, not simply a good fighter. I put this link in here because I feel like martial artists should be aware of a potentially positive show in the works. If it is good, I intend to support it. You can read about it at the link, but it sounds like they know what made the original movie so good.
http://screenrant.com/youtube-red-karate-kid-sequel-series-plot-details/
If you know of any good examples of positivity in the martial arts, please post them in the comments below!
As always, embrace positivity, my brothers and sisters!
- Martial Journal Is Growing and Expanding! - August 21, 2019
- The Grandmaster Movie Review - August 3, 2019
- “Big Brother” Movie Review - July 19, 2019
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