Sensei Gregory C. Lewis

Control Your Mouth...Or Else!

2011-09-02T23:14:00.000-07:00

True story. A friend recently had eight rounds fired into her vehicle over a dispute relating to a scratched car door. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

According to what I have learned, based upon my conversations with her and witnesses to the incident, this situation quickly escalated; due largely to what was coming out the mouth of the suspect, prior to reaching for his weapon. And, due to the victim matching the suspect's hostile verbage, and not finishing the fight decisively when she had the chance, prior to the pistol being used.

It is difficult to control ones emotions, and ones mouth, under the pressure of an aggressor posing an immediate threat. However, it is still a necessary life skill to develop. I can tell you that with real-deal physical skills, this becomes even more difficult, since there is less hesitation and little to no self-doubt in one's abilities.

This does NOT mean accepting physical or verbal abuse; this means managing ones reactions to physical or verbal abuse and transforming that into swift, decisive, reasonable action. This means responding as a responsible adult. Think back to how your parents spoke to you when they needed you to do something immediately. "Leave me alone" or "go away" are easily understood in most languages.

This does not require cussing them out or telling them anything about what can or may happen to them if they don't obey. Give simplest instructions to the simpletons, especially if they are visibly intoxicated. When its time to act, don't tell them, show them!

Do not give them the opportunity to attack, retaliate, or block your path of escape. Also, do not rely on bystanders to aid or assist. In this case, there were several present and not one of them lifted a finger to call the police, let alone intervene before things escalated further. There's a reason that stories in the news that have "bystanders held the suspect until police arrived" somewhere in the story are news.

Self-defense is less of a right and more of a responsibility.

Meaningful Kata Practice.

2011-08-15T22:25:00.001-07:00

When I was young, I used to struggle with kata (or as they were called when I was studying Taekwondo, hyung). We had many pre-arranged forms. Some had functional techniques and movements one could use while sparring, the majority did not. I eventually discarded them from my practice completely after I found myself using only my boxing skills, a lead-leg front kick, and a random roundhouse kick when I actually had to save myself from some two-legged predator at school.

Later on, while I was learning Thai-rules kickboxing, my coach told me that shadow boxing was in fact a type of "kata". I could wrap my mind around this interpretation of kata, because it directly applied techniques and concepts I would utilize in the ring (and on the street).

Years later, as part of earning my black belt, I had to learn all 5 katas created by Enshin Karate's founder Kancho Joko Ninomiya. I enjoyed his type of kata also, because it too directly applied techniques and concepts I would use. As I progressed, I realized that some of the chains of techniques and transitions of positioning contained in the katas required too much technical skill and precision that what I could effectively bring to bear during a truly adrenalized state.

When I designed the 10 katas for my particular expression of Modern Karate, I started with some core principles contained within Ninomiya’s original Enshin Karate katas:

* Use of a modified boxing stance for quick movement and a lowered center of gravity for resistance to low kicks and takedown attempts.

* Combining strikes, kicks, grabbing, takedowns, and to dome (finishing-off techniques) in a logical, progressive sequence that places emphasis on continuously off-balancing the opponent.

* Attacking or counter-attacking from an angle and/or immediately the taking the blind-spot position for a quick, powerful, devastating finish.

Second, I decided to update kata so they more closely imitate real-world physical threats, including weapons. This meant:

* Using only techniques that are simple to apply and effective regardless of height or body weight of the threat.

* Stringing techniques together in a logical progression of target acquisition, increasingly powerful weaponry, and methods of delivery.

* Use of training methods that increase stamina, explosiveness, and muscle memory.

Third, I told myself to remind my students often to think of kata practice like playing scales on a piano or chords on a guitar. Like playing any instrument, precision and control are required for effective kata practice, especially when first learning a new movement or series of movements.

Real fights are generally fast, sloppy, and potentially life-threatening; so the point of kata practice is to ‘program’ in specific muscle memory (example: straight palm strike) and ‘reprogram’ spontaneous muscle memory (example: taking the act of waving an insect away from ones face and turning it into a block), in order for the student to be much faster, more efficient (i.e.- economy of motion), and less sloppy than his/her opponent(s). Kata is also a good opportunity for students to become more acutely aware of their breathing, positioning, weight distribution/center of gravity, and proper use of a closed kinetic chain when delivering any strike, kick, or takedown.

Make your kata practice meaningful, not monotonous!

Mushin: Ancient Concept, Modern Context.

2011-08-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today’s reality-based self-defense instructors often speak of the "adrenalized state", the "fight or flight response". Or, we may speak to the specific physical attributes associated with a sudden rush of adrenaline: tunnel vision, ‘butterflies’ in the stomach, weakness in the knees, or the feeling of a full body ‘rush’ from head to toe. We also speak to the flood of emotions that one experiences both pre- and post conflict; especially in the contexts of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Mushin (pronounced ‘Mu-Shin’) is a Japanese term which loosely translates as "no-mind".

The term is shortened from mushin no shin, a Zen expression meaning ‘mind of no mind’; meaning a mind that is not fixed or occupied by any single thought or emotion.

From a strictly combative perspective, mushin can be described as a mental and physiological state of heightened situational awareness and tactical single-mindedness that comes about through the conscious management of:

a. emotionally driven thoughts of anger, fear, or ego during combat that can translate into potentially fatal errors in timing, distance, movement, delivery, or overall general strategy. One example of the mismanagement of this aspect is allowing ones mouth to write checks ones ass cannot cover (i.e.- willful provocation by word or deed). Another is one not having absolute confidence is his/her training and allowing that to become an obstacle to decisive action.

b. the physical effects of the adrenalized state. Also, suppression of the pain(s) of blunt force trauma, cuts, scrapes, sprains, and strains (with the help of endorphins that are also released by the brain). And the powerful use of kinetic energy channeled into every movement (i.e.-strikes and kicks; and/or that ‘final’ sprint to safety, in particular).

c. second-guessing of ones judgment as the senses are overwhelmed with information, so the person is totally free to act without hesitation. At this point, a person relies not on what they think should be the next move, but what their trained ‘natural’ reaction leads them to do.

This means the ‘formal’ pre-conflict sharpening of ones own intuition and instinctual defensive reflexes by way of routine, realistic practice; guided by qualified, professional instruction.

This also means really taking the time to deconstruct and sum up the experience(s) of a real world assault situation, and then applying those specific lessons to ones own theory and practice.

‘Jim Crow’ Self Defense: Personal Protection in a “Colorblind” Society.

2011-08-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

I initially attempted to submit this article to a ‘mainstream’ martial arts publication. It was denied due to its ‘racially charged’ subject matter. Lol.

Unfortunately, for those who are specifically targeted in the context of being part of an oppressed minority, this subject matter is NOT funny. And the frosty response to this subject I received, which I had hoped would spark healthy debate amongst my fellow self-defense instructors, speaks volumes to the prevailing attitudes in mainstream amerikkka towards real-deal ‘life or death’ issues that shape the quality and content of the daily lives of oppressed people (and in fact ALL people).

And while many of us rightfully and justifiably criticize the latest imperialist outrage in the Middle East, or how local police act towards groups of protesters/activists/community people on the streets of europe or amerikkka, or how the FBI or CIA conduct themselves on activist’s doorsteps[!] around the world, or increasing attacks on Blacks, Latinos, and Muslims by organized white supremacists, we still often under-report (or outright ignore) violent incidents towards workers, youth, and elders outside the easily identifiable state-sponsored acts of terror. We have difficulty speaking to ‘horizontal violence’, both in its panoramic analysis and in the formulation and implementation of solutions that attack not only the symptoms, but the systemic root causes.

Both the liberals and conservatives, in addition to having historical, and thus ideological, tenure on the planet (this is an empire, after all) as distinct national political tendencies and associated organizations, have a monopoly on state-sponsored violence in which the real politic of the legal standard is essentially this: “What is, or is not, ‘justifiable’ as ‘self-defense’, as interpreted by court precedents in various political periods in American history, as viewed through the lens of the current political climate in the area from which the defendant is accused of the offense, the political climate in the area from which the jury is selected and seated, and in the country at large?”.

Based upon the sick ‘logic’ of some of these rulings, and the willingness of much of the public (including the potential targets of oppression) to co-sign to the aforementioned ‘sick logic’ for a whole host of reasons (all related to our relative powerlessness at this time), they have a monopoly on the debate on what constitutes ‘self-defense’ as well. We need to change that, lest we ALL fall victim to it!

For many of us, this is a deeply personal subject. Take note of my ‘nice guy’ presentation to these folks. Let me know what you think. Let’s begin… – G.L.

Are we coming to a point in American history where we, as real-world self-defense instructors, are going to have to throw our curriculum(s) out all together, revisit our entire approach to use of force as it applies to civilians, and revise it to reflect the specific needs of our students who come from so-called “minority” populations?

Are we really willing to take the professional risk and responsibility to tell our Black, Latino, Indigenous (so-called “indians”), and Lbgt (lesbian/bi-sexual/gay/transgendered) students that statistically they have a greater chance of being assaulted or killed, and that whoever is convicted of committing the crime will potentially serve less time for that act of violence than our student(s), the target(s) of the attack, will serve for defending themselves?

Indeed, these are life-or-death questions we must ask ourselves, given the ever-changing political (and thus, legal) direction the United States is going; especially in regard to its various non-white, non-Christian, non-heterosexual populations.

Two years ago John White, a black resident of Suffolk County, NY, was forced to defend his home and his son against an angry white mob who had gathered outside.

Aaron White, John White’s teenage son, had been attending an under-age drinking party nearby when he was accused by several white males of being a rapist, based upon a facebook post made by a female acquaintance of both he and his accusers. White denied the allegation, but willingly left the party in order to avoid conflict. He was followed home by his accusers, who exchanged racialized insults with him via phone and text message. When these young men attempted to enter the house one of the attackers, 17-year-old Daniel Cicciaro, was shot dead. John White was arrested for first degree manslaughter and for the illegal possession of an unregistered handgun.

During the trial, right-wing pundits asked why White didn’t just lock his door and call the police. This question was never asked of the white teens why they decided to institute their own brand of vigilante justice, instead of calling the police to investigate the rape allegation. They also failed to mention that Cicciaro had been drinking heavily prior to the incident. Nor was there any mention of the poor police/community relations that existed between black residents and the police department(s) for years due to numerous allegations of harassment, as well as high-profile incidents of assault and summary executions of black people by police, including the cases of Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo, Patrick Dorismond, and Anthony Baez; which could conceivably make blacks and other minorities hesitant to call 911. And none of them one uttered a word about how this incident is could be viewed as a ‘21st century’ attempt at lynching.

Often in this nation’s ‘glorious past’ [that more than a few openly state they wish we could return to], mobs of white men would kidnap a young black male for simply looking in the direction of a white woman and then spread a rumor of sexual assault throughout a white community in order to mobilize and justify support for hanging, burning, and mutilating the individual in question publically.

Suffolk County Court Judge Barbara Kahn granted a request that allowed the jury to consider convicting Mr. White of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor that carries a prison term of up to one year. Instead, the jury found him guilty of second degree manslaughter which carries a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 15. In 2007, White was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in state prison. His conviction has been upheld on appeal.

Four years ago, seven young Black lesbians from New Jersey—Patreese Johnson, Renata Hill, Venice Brown, Terrain Dandridge, Chenese Loyal, Lania Daniels, and Khamysha Coates—were hanging out on the pier in New York City’s West Village when Dwayne Buckle, a man selling DVDs on the street, sexually propositioned Patreese. Prior to this event, another young woman named Sakia Gunn had been stabbed to death under very similar circumstances—by a pair of highly aggressive, verbally abusive, openly homophobic male strangers in that very same area. One of the seven had known Sakia personally.

Refusing to take “no” for an answer, Buckle followed them down the street, issuing insults and threats, telling one of them “I’ll f*** you straight, sweetheart!” During the resulting confrontation, Buckle first spat in Renata’s face and threw his lit cigarette at her, then he yanked another’s hair, pulling her towards him, and then began strangling Renata. Patreese Johnson, a ‘menacing’ 4 feet 11 inches tall and 95 pounds, produced a small knife from her bag to stop Buckle from choking her friend—a knife she carried to protect herself when she came home alone from her late-night job.

Two male onlookers, one of whom had a knife, ran over to physically deal with Buckle in order to help the women. Buckle, who ended up hospitalized for five days with stomach and liver lacerations, initially reported on at least two occasions that the men—not the women—had attacked him. What’s more, Patreese’s knife was never tested for DNA, the men who beat Buckle were never questioned by police, and the whole incident was captured on surveillance video. Yet, the women ended up on trial for attempted murder. Doing their part to contribute to the climate of a witch hunt, the local NY corporate-owned media referred to the women repeatedly as a “wolf pack of lesbians.” and demonized them at every opportunity in print and on the air.

In June 2007, after spending most of a year in jail, four of the seven women were sentenced—reportedly by an all-white jury of mostly women—to jail terms ranging from 3 1/2 to 11 years. The oldest of the women was 24, and two of them are mothers of small children. The pro-bono lawyers for the women would later have to purchase the public record of the case since the judge, Edward J. McLaughlin (who openly taunted and expressed contempt for the women in front of the jury all throughout the trial), refused to release it. As of August 2007, the defense team still does NOT have a copy of the security camera video footage!

Then there’s the case of Montequa Jackson, a former University of Louisville student. In August, 2009 after walking her home, her boyfriend Jermaine Stafford was randomly surrounded and attacked by a group of white men on campus. Hearing what was happening outside her dorm, Jackson rushed to his aid and stabbed one the attackers with a small knife. She was prosecuted for assault, placed on probation, and expelled from school. You can watch the FOX news account (including the attack caught on security camera video) for yourself here.

As the economy worsens, and the people become more desperate, it becomes easier for conservative talk radio personalities, politicians, and other fear-based demagogues to use their access to the media to move the public (especially the white population) into a narrow, dogmatic, decidedly reactionary direction. Currently, both republicans and democrats pander to this crowd; as do various religious and political leaders at the local and state level.

In their pandering to the most racist, intolerant, imperialist, and anti-democratic forces, those who have positions of real power over our daily lives (and that of our students), particularly those who are employed as public servants who have a social, political, and cultural affinity with the political line of the most racist, intolerant, imperialist, and anti-democratic forces in the country are creating policies, procedures, ‘best’ practices, and legal precedents that we as instructors must pay attention to and consult both legal and political experts to help us to interpret, in order for us to deliver to our students the most up-to-date, realistic, and relevant self-defense education we can provide.