The past month or so has been a whirlwind. I recently accepted a job for the website Buddhasport; Buddhasport is an action sports website, and I write articles for them regarding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. It's really cool to be able to channel my writing skills in this way. I'm working on a really cool BJJ project for them; I'll release more details once I've begun working on it a little more, but I think you'll all like it! I also have a new part-time job working at my old office, so I've successfully gone from a part-time, unpaid internship to TWO paid gigs!
Because of this project, I've visited a few BJJ schools in the NY/NJ/PA area. I've realized I take a much more analytic approach to jiu-jitsu; I don't learn as well from the instructor showing me the move and then me trying to copy it, but I do learn well when the instructor explains why the move works. Understanding concepts like pressure, position, posture, and even physics are really help me understand certain moves ways of passing/sweeping/submitting. It's really changed the way I approach class and ask questions. It's lessened my frustration and it's made me think about jiu-jitsu in a whole new light. I call it the "mad scientist" approach, which fits well with my personality!
But that isn't all I've been thinking about....
Unfortunately, the recent rape case involving two Lloyd Irvin students has plagued my mind since the story broke. I didn't know any of the people involved, but it truly makes me sick to think that this could happen, let alone happen in the BJJ community in this way. I've tried countless times to express my feelings and what I think should be done, but frankly, I can't put my thoughts in any coherent fashion. I'm angry at the incident, how some people associated with the team have acted, the reactions of many on various Internet forums, and even the reactions of a couple of people I know personally. However, there are a couple of people who have been able to sum up the situation much more coherently than myself. Check out the links below for some more perspective on the situation.
The Real Issue in the Schultz/Maldonado Rape Case
Ryan Hall's Open Letter to the Martial Arts Community
