MY NJIA UHURU KIPURA PROTECTS KIDS/OUR CHILDREN

 

### Seaside High School Fight

Seaside police said a fight between students on Wednesday resulted in minor injuries to staff and students. On Thursday, Seaside police Chief Nick Borges told KSBW 8 that there were nearly 100 students involved in the fight, and they will be looking to hold those who "crossed the violence line" accountable. The fight lasted for around 30 minutes, added Borges.

Borges said the fight could have been racially motivated. One student has been arrested so far. A police spokesperson said on Wednesday there was no evidence of a stabbing taking place. There were no hospital calls made to the police, the spokesperson added.

No weapons were located or used in the fight, said Borges. Charges could include fighting on campus but will be determined for each student on a case-by-case basis. The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District sent out a statement that said in part, "There was an altercation on the Seaside High School campus involving multiple students. Seaside Police Department was consulted, and we made the determination to release students early classroom by classroom instead of simultaneously at release time."

MPUSD says there will be no change to classes. There were no extra police patrols on campus on Thursday.

### Reality Check: Self-Defense Amid Racial Tensions

Mwalimu Mtaalam [Swahili: Expert Teacher] Ras Fletcher, an African American who lived and spent time in Southeast San Diego, Compton, Long Beach, Southeast Los Angeles, Crenshaw, and other places, is very familiar with these kinds of incidents, including the often-overlooked racist animus that far too often launches these kinds of situations, as well as the tendency of authority figures to reflexively scapegoat African American children or downplay the severity of these matters when non-African Americans are the culprits.

Mwalimu Mtaalam is also very much aware of the fact that any and all transgressors—regardless of race, social status, income levels, etc.—should be and must be held responsible for their actions; whatever those actions are. This delicate but clear balance must be maintained at all costs. The system of Njia Uhuru Kipura [Swahili: The Way of Freedom Through Martial Arts] is a perfect system for this and other situations, as Njia Uhuru Kipura was created with these and a myriad of other unique as well as universal challenges in mind.

### Scenario: Seaside High School Fight

**Context:** Seaside police reported a fight involving nearly 100 students, resulting in minor injuries to staff and students. The fight, which may have been racially motivated, lasted around 30 minutes. Given the tense environment and the history of racial bias, it's crucial for Black students to defend themselves while being mindful of their actions to avoid further escalation or misinterpretation by biased faculty or law enforcement.

### 1. Avoiding Attacks and Redirecting Opponents

**Situation:** An over-aggressive faculty member, student, or law enforcement member lunges towards you with a punch or a grab.

- **Stance:** Start in Msimamo Kawaida [Swahili: Normal Stance]—the position most of us casually walk around, sit, lay down, etc.—and transition to one of the myriad of balanced, low stances in Njia Uhuru Kipura to ensure stability. Raise both hands, palms out, in a gesture of de-escalation and assure the person in a firm, unafraid voice before they attack that you don't want any problems, but you will defend yourself if attacked.

- **Technique:** As the overly aggressive faculty member, student, or law enforcement member attacks, use Harakati Vuka to pivot on your front foot and shift your weight to your back foot while simultaneously parrying the attack with your lead hand.

- **Effect:** This movement allows you to avoid the attack by moving offline and redirecting the opponent’s momentum past you.

- **Follow-up:** With the opponent off-balance and their momentum carrying them forward, use your rear hand to guide them further in the direction of their movement, causing them to stumble or stagger much further away from you than they intended. They may also fall. Whatever they do, they have unintentionally but vigorously assisted you in removing them from the immediate conflict zone without causing them any significant harm. This is not by accident but by dint of ingenious, highly functional, highly efficient, assiduous training and application of Tier 1 Strategy Number 5: De-Escalation and Tier 1 Strategy Number 6: Control. This helps minimize visible aggression that might be misinterpreted by faculty or police.

### 2. Effecting Takedowns and Escaping Danger

**Situation:** An over-aggressive faculty member, student, or law enforcement member attempts to grab or engage you in close-range combat.

- **Stance:** Begin in a low, stable stance with your weight evenly distributed.

- **Technique:** Use Harakati Vuka to drop your center of gravity lower while stepping to the side and behind the opponent’s leg.

- **Effect:** This movement places you in a position where you can use your body weight and leverage to perform a calf sweep (sweeping your leg behind their calf) or a foot sweep (hooking their foot with yours).

- **Follow-up:** As the opponent loses their balance and begins to fall, use the momentum of your sweep to pivot and move away from the immediate area, escaping the danger zone and potentially de-escalating the situation. This quick retreat reduces the likelihood of further confrontation with either students or faculty.

### 3. Destroying Opponents’ Stances and Propelling Them Away

**Situation:** Surrounded by multiple aggressive students and potentially hostile faculty or law enforcement members, you need to create space.

- **Stance:** Assume a strong, rooted stance with your feet shoulder-width apart.

- **Technique:** Using Harakati Vuka, shift your weight to one leg and use your other leg to perform a knee wheel or a tenkan (rotational movement) to pivot around an opponent’s centerline.

- **Effect:** This movement disrupts the opponent’s stance by rotating their upper body while their lower body remains static, causing them to lose balance.

- **Follow-up:** Once the opponent is off-balance, use your hands to push or pull them in the direction of their imbalance, propelling them into other aggressors or away from you, creating space and confusion among the remaining attackers. This maneuver can help you and others to retreat safely or gain control over the situation.

### Navigating the Tense Environment

**Trust and Caution:** In a racially charged situation, trust in your own skills and awareness is paramount. Remain wary of potential biases from faculty and law enforcement. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid making aggressive movements that could be misinterpreted.

**Environmental Awareness:** Recognize the surroundings for potential barriers or escape routes. Use the environment to your advantage, ensuring you always have an exit strategy.

**Strategic Positioning:** Position yourself near walls or other barriers to prevent being surrounded. Use the principles of leverage and balance to control opponents without excessive force, maintaining a focus on safety and de-escalation.

### Applying Techniques in Context

Given the chaotic nature of the fight involving nearly 100 students, these techniques can be instrumental in managing the situation:

- **Avoiding Attacks:** Staff members and students can use the avoidance techniques to sidestep incoming attacks, ensuring their safety while minimizing the escalation of violence.

- **Redirecting Opponents:** By redirecting aggressive students into less populated areas or away from the center of the fight, they can help de-escalate the conflict and reduce injuries.

- **Creating Space:** Using takedowns and stance-breaking techniques, individuals can create space around them, making it easier for security or police to intervene and control the situation.

### Emotional and Tactical Considerations

**Emotional Control:** Stay calm and composed, even when provoked. Emotional control is crucial to avoid escalating the situation.

**Documentation:** If possible, ensure there is a record of the events (witnesses, video footage). This can be vital in protecting oneself from false accusations or biased interpretations.

**Community Support:** After the incident, seek support from community leaders and organizations that can provide guidance and advocacy.

By applying these Njia Uhuru Kipura principles and techniques with awareness of the racial tensions and potential biases in the context of a school fight, Black students and staff can effectively protect themselves and others, manage the situation with minimal harm, and support law enforcement in restoring order while safeguarding their own rights and well-being.