Brazilian Jiu Jitsu RSS

Another controversy has hit the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community. This time it is not the loudest voices in the space rallying against social justice or promoting misinformation about COVID-19. This time, it is another story about a student being sexually assaulted by an individual that was trusted to guide them through the “  that is called martial arts. This is not new, and for anyone feigning surprise, that just means your eyes were shut the entire time. As this problem persists, it is up to those that have remained silent for years to be a true ally, supporting survivors that...

Here we are again. Less than one year after civil unrest erupted across the United States and the world, there is a similar situation brewing once again in Minnesota as Officer Kim Potter shot and killed a 20-year-old Black man, Daunte Wright. Potter has since resigned and has been charged with 2nd-degree manslaughter. All mere miles from where Derek Chauvin’s trial continues for the murder of George Floyd. It is a situation that is all too familiar. For some, it is a matter that may have been thrust into your face for the first time when you saw Chauvin press...

Sometimes a message needs to be heard or read multiple times for it to ring through to the person on the other end. Last week was another celebration of the birthday and life of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Yet, there was something unsettling about this iteration of his birthday. Something that undoubtedly occurred in the past but was extra disgusting on January 18, 2021. The continued misuse of MLK’s quotes and legacies by those who stand directly opposed to the message and purpose he lived up until his life was tragically cut short. In a previous post, GWI discussed...

Twelve days into 2021 and finding the words to describe the start is still a challenge. On January 6 the world watched as the United States Capitol building was stormed by domestic terrorists who were hell bent on “overturning” the election that Donald Trump lost in November. A fair and free election. The fallout from that riot continues to unfold but recent revelations point to deeper issues within policing and elected officials. Many will feign surprise, but voices within marginalized communities have worked tirelessly to point out many of these matters in the past. So much so, it’s hard to...

COVID-19 has forced much of the world to grind to a halt. The martial arts industry is impacted just as much as others. The IBJJF, perhaps the largest promoter of grappling tournaments, held one of its most important events this past weekend – the Pan-Ams. While much of the grappling community was excited to get back to competition, now that the event is over gym leaders should ask those that participated to do the right thing, and that is quarantine for two weeks. We are living amid a global pandemic. Cases and deaths continue to rise in the United States....