Is Derek Chauvin a Martial Artist?
-Opinion-
Author: Baustin Shaw
Does learning to fight make you a martial artist? For me, being a martial artist means morals, honor, and respect (and of course self-defense and fighting but that's implied!). Derek Chauvin, a police officer, charged and now convicted of the murder of George Floyd. He was the officer who had his knee on the neck of George Floyd. Why is this raised in a martial arts blog? Because during the Chauvin trial, different pieces of his past came up. It has been reported that he used to be a martial artist, raising key questions related to this case. The question for me however is what does it mean to be a martial artist? What was Chauvin’s past experience and does it equate with the values I consider as defining a martial artist?
In an interview between Keshia Richmond and Sifu Lamar they discuss the specific style of Praying Mantis Kung fu, which is the reported style of Derek Chauvin. Looking up this style of Kung fu, it contrasts itself from wushu, by being based more on self-defense. Self-defense in the martial arts world generally means fighting against an aggressor and protection. In this case, Chauvin was the aggressor, initiating violence. With his background, he is going against the tenets and code that he is reported to have learned under in his past. I’d argue that this is not the way of his martial art and shows his devolution from being a martial artist to being someone who just knows how to fight. The idea that he was trained as a martial artist, may change for some the intentionality of his actions. Later, information from other sites show that he no longer continued his training, however that doesn't mean he forgot his techniques. At this point I feel the need to say this. Joining a martial arts school is not enough to call oneself a martial artist. For example, if I go to a cooking class, does this make me a chef? I personally do not believe so. As stated before, morals, values, and much more make a martial artist. For me, Derek Chauvin may know kung fu techniques, but he is no martial artist. Killing someone in what I view as cold blood, breaks his own sworn code as someone who should protect and serve. Further this dishonors the title of being able to be called a martial artist, a title that shouldn’t be given lightly!
For me, I take concern with people who fight with no code, no morals, and no honor. For instance, combat sport fighters have morals and rules for themselves and I consider them martial artists. Without the tenets and morality of the martial arts, someone with training, is just someone who may know how to fight. Being a martial artist comprises elements of fighting or self-defense, honor, and morals. It is not a negative thing to be a fighter only, but if not practiced with restraint and understanding, one can have disastrous effects upon others. A martial artist practices restraint, care for life, and control of their techniques.
Being a martial artist is more than putting on a Gi or obtaining titles. It is learning how to defend oneself and creating your body into something stronger than what it was. It is a lifestyle and philosophy that is continually growing and shaping, restrained by humility and self-control. Derek Chauvin by these standards, is no martial artist. He was a cop, who had power and misused it for 9 minutes straight. combined with his authority, fear, prejudices, and anger George Floyd died. A death that was preventable, during an arrest that should have been handled much differently.
And with that being said we see justice being victorious in this battle. This week the verdict came out on Derek Chauvin. He is guilty. Guilty on all 3 accounts, guilty for murder, guilty on abusing his power, guilty of not being a martial artist, guilty of being wrong and having no respect for a person’s life.
-Opinion blogs are the express views of the author-
