The recent killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin has unleashed a torrent of protests against systemic racism in cities across America, that have also echoed throughout the world. Regardless of where you stand on the issue of systemic racism, there is no denying that we are a society in conflict. To better understand the urgency of this issue, I invited several of my fellow Aikidoka to join me on a panel discussion & community call where we explored the question, “What is an Aikido response to systemic racism?”

What Is An Aikido Response To Systemic Racism? – The Panelists

To join me in an Aiki-exploration of this issue I invited some Aikido friends who have a track record of advocating for equality and speaking out against social injustice. First, is an old dojo brother of mine, Eric Moye who is a District Judge for the state of Texas who has taught “Racism and the Law” at Southern Methodist University.

Next on the panel is Malory Graham who is the chief instructor of Seattle Aikikai, film school educator and social justice advocate for women, and women of color filmmakers. Rounding out the panel is Sam Taitel Sensei a millennial and life long Aikidoka who is living in Minneapolis and has be involved with many of the protests against systemic racism.

Chaos or Community?

Any conversation addressing systemic racism is extremely delicate and can easily go off the rails in one direction or another. For any new understanding to emerge from addressing this issue, the conversations we have must be held in a delicate balance. The same delicate we seek in Aikido.

We enter into the conflict with full intent to fight the good fight and meet the conflict at its own level, while at the same time relentlessly staying open and connected to the other. Holding space for the potential of returning to wholeness. This is the meaning of O Sensei’s powerful Aikido injunction – “Budo Is Love.”

As Judge Moye pointed out, it is still not clear whether what we are collectively going through at a social level will lead to a breakdown or a breakthrough. Whether it will lead us, as the Rev. Martine Luther King said “towards chaos or community.”

But as you will see in the community call replay below, the panelists, as well as those from the Aikido community who joined us, rose to the occasion to meet this issue head-on and with an open heart. I love this community!

Please watch this important replay below:

Addendum – Chat Activity Archive

There was a very lively and inspiring chat happening on the side during the panel period and subsequent group discussion. You can see the complete “Chat Activity Archive” HERE.

Question: What do you see as an Aikido response to systemic racism? Please leave your comments below! 

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