White supremacy is on the rise according to numbers published by the ACLU. Their rise is boringly predictable given they see their views reflected in the highest offices of the land. What’s more, social media connects white supremacists to each other with a heretofore unimaginable ease and frequency — the psychological hot-buttons of decision-making — which confers a stamp of legitimacy for young men (yes, mostly men) looking for a tribe of brothers to make up for the loss of fathers, homes and hopes. The political doctrines of these groups are simplistic, historically false and their actions will evolve, growing in militancy and organization.
According to reports, various schools in MMA have popped up catering to the desire of white nationalists who want to learn to fight. There have already been a few disavowals and “I didn’t know what this group stood for.” You can find it on searches when typing “white supremacists learn to fight.” The UFC has had to filter their talent streams to make sure out and out declarations of racism are not made during shows, but for those with the eyes, who know how to read tattoos (seriously, tattoos), it is clear there is a growing number of white supremacists who have taken to the ring as a religious rite and glorified infomercial for the use of violence by whites. The martial art teachers of these venues run schools named after anglicized versions of Nazi salutes. The instructors are avowed supremacists, and do what they do with knowledge and intent.
So, I am writing this as an ask. Can we have a conversation? Can we talk about how ideological prejudice in martial arts will alienate or polarize audiences, athletes and potential students across martial arts? Can we talk about the important staples of respect and self-discipline in martial arts and how they are supposed to translate into making better people not just better fighters? Can we talk about the courage it takes to fight racism in your school, hospital or job, never mind in the octagon, mat or ring? Can we talk about what all this learning-how-to-fight is really for?
I get it. Their numbers are small. Most of these people are already under surveillance by law enforcement agencies. They’re young, they’ll grow out of it. They’ve got issues or are criminal, what can you do?
I know one thing you can do. Don’t mince words, and say it is unacceptable in your field of expertise, in your school, in your business, in your city and in your community for certain kinds of behavior to exist. Say you will lead by example.