Quantum Jim's Journal: Racial Slurs and Jiu-jitsu Tourney

On Racial Slurs:

While practicing jiu-jitsu with a friend, he referred to me with a racial slur at one point. I don't care personally. In fact, it made me fight that much harder when sparring. We're still cool, and I understand it was in jest. I don't think my friend is a racist.

The topic still preoccupies my brain however. I don't feel offended - more like puzzled. Why should I care? Why do I still think about it? Then there are also labels like 'nerd' and 'geek' that can also be used as pejoratives. (He didn't used them.) Why is it not a hate crime when we are bullied for liking science but other groups are? I can't think of any answers to these questions.

Jiu-jitsu Tourney:

Much to my surprise I found a summary of my match (Men's No-Gi Beginner) at the Kumite Classic. I'm rapidly forgetting what happended during the match, which usually happens since I'm too busy to comit it to memory! ;-) However, I was under the impression that I lost due to a key lock. I confess that I don't yet know what an americana is though - hey I only have a month and a half of experience so far!

americana

[Red Warrior]

An arm bar launched from the guard.
An example using legs from the side mount. But that's pretty unusual. [bjj.org]

What you were on the receiving end of was more likey this or this [martialartshunter.net]. i.e. A keylock, just like you said. ;-)

A rose by any other name.

Re:americana

[Red Warrior]

Erm, preview THEN post...

this [martialartshunter.net] should have been the first this link.

Re:americana

[Quantum Jim]

Thanks: all three links were very informative. I feel like such a novice sometimes!

Re:americana

[Red Warrior]

Same here. That one jumped out at me due to a similar situtation. While taking my jujitsu class overseas, My instructor kept on telling me to do "an american". While I agreed that was good advice, none of my classmates were sufficiently cute, or sufficiently female, for it to really seem practical. Finally I had to ask him.

Re:americana

[Quantum Jim]

Doesn't your school have a belt system? I've been training informally at my local college's grappling club. What's your level now?

Re:americana

[Red Warrior]

It does. I'm a purple belt (3rd major promotion). Same as I was 18 months ago, when I left. :-( I haven't really hopped back in yet. In fact, I didn't even SHOW for the last month. Managed to find an excuse for the whole month! Knock on wood, I should be back in the school regularly on Monday.

All the jujitsu stuff I did was basically informal, not a real school.