Force for Change and BJJ
This is a Jiu-Jitsu one I had to do because of the recent Real Sports segment on BJJ.
HBO recently aired an episode of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, with a segment called, “Force for Change.” The focus of it was on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu being taught to law enforcement officers, and how it has helped them do their jobs in Marietta, Georgia. Rener Gracie was heavily featured in the piece as well as police officers from the region that has already put their training to the test.
Martial arts, and most recently, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) have been a part of my life now nearing 30 years. When I write “recently”, I mean since 2005 for BJJ. Before that, it was a lot of traditional, karate-based styles and “American kickboxing”, the one with long pants and no leg kicks.
When I saw this episode was airing, I knew that it was prompted by what happened to George Floyd and a lot of other people of color over the years. When everything happened, I saw a lot of people advocate for the use of BJJ since it is a martial art that is applicable to a lot of situations that call for force, when no other option is necessary. At least in a self-defense scenario.
I train with a lot of law enforcement, many of them are some of my closest friends, friends for life. They too were appalled by what happened to Mr. Floyd, but no one really cared because…
