I want to talk about Jiu-jitsu.

Here is the thing, I want to talk about Jiu-jitsu, the problem is that there are a bunch of shitheads currently shoving themselves into Jiu-jitsu that think they can make it a purely conservative space and not allow others to be part of Jiu-jitsu. I would much rather be discussing the mechanics of different moves and techniques, but those things seem less important when Nazis are allowed to openly train at gyms or run their own active clubs all over the country.

Now Jiu-jitsu has a long history of ties to fascism going all the way back to Helio Gracie being a fascist, so it is not particularly surprising that fascists would again try to use it as a tool for control. But here is the thing, you cannot sell your program as the “best solution to bullying” when you are the bully.

I have at this point spent most of my life doing Jiu-jitsu, I have grappled and shared the mats with people from all walks of life. The only thing that has ever happened to me sharing the mats with someone different than me, is my life was enriched. Jiu-jitsu is a great tool for uniting people, because regardless of your status outside the gym we can all come in and share the mats together, and that is a wonderful thing. There is a vocal portion of the Jiu-jitsu community that clearly does not believe this. They want to horde Jiu-jitsu to themselves and make it only a space for conservative people to be. This ideal is as abhorrent as it is futile. Jiu-jitsu cannot be horded away like wealth kept in the grips of only a privileged few. If you try and push people you do not like out of the community, they will simply create their own communities without you. Also, you will end up harming Jiu-jitsu in the long run.

I have been doing Jiu-jitsu for over 20 years, and then one thing I can say is that the Jiu-jitsu I do today is significantly different than the Jiu-jitsu I did as a white belt. Not just because I am now a lot better at Jiu-jitsu but because it has evolved as a benefit from the explosion in popularity, it has brought in people with diverse view points and perspectives that have allowed Jiu-jitsu as a style to change for the better and not stagnate like many things do when they are restricted from access to many. It stands to us now to create an environment in Jiu-jitsu that is welcoming to all.

Jiu-jitsu is for everyone, Full stop. Everyone should be welcome in Jiu-jitsu and space created for them in gyms because you never know who will push the art forward. If this perspective is surprising to you, maybe you only cared about me for my Jiu-jitsu knowledge and not as the whole person I am behind my black belt. I strongly believe that as members of the community, especially as a black belt, it is our job to shape the strong, vibrant, and diverse community that we can help flourish.

I would love to be talking about Jiu-jitsu techniques, breaking down different things about grappling, or talking about the concepts I internalize while I grapple. However, it is far more important that I talk about this instead as it is a far more critical issue for Jiu-jitsu than a cool new way to do a triangle choke. Jiu-jitsu is for everyone.