How a Debate Movie Influenced LMA (Patreon)

I first watched the documentary Resolved in 2008, and it played a pivotal role in shaping my journey toward developing the Liberation Martial Arts (LMA) approach. Even back then, I deeply resonated with Louis Blackwell and Richard Funches, as I often found myself at odds with the mainstream martial arts community over teaching methodologies. Their struggles mirrored my own frustrations, which I still encounter today when engaging with radicals who, despite their intentions, replicate the very oppressive pedagogical approaches they claim to oppose.

I've revisited Resolved multiple times over the years, and it wasn't until I started LMA that I fully grasped the final judge's comment about "incompatibility." I explored this concept in "Degrees of LMA Immersion."

On recent viewings, I noticed subtle yet powerful details I had missed before—like the brief image of Lenin on one of the Highland Park debate folders. The film also left out explicit mentions of Marxism, leaving it to be more understood as "If you know, you know." Sam Iola's insights into the self-serving nature of U.S. foreign policy and Western hegemony also stood out, perfectly complementing Louis and Richard's argument: that Western hegemony forces us to internalize the oppressor's perspective as general fact.

To access the complete Liberation Martial Arts curriculum and contribute to the sustainability of this project, consider upgrading your membership. As we deal with the economic impact of the LA wildfires, find other ways to support us here. – Sam

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(I write daily about martial arts and other topics from a liberatory perspective. If you like my work, please support me on Patreon or Substack, or make a one-time donation on Ko-fi. Find Southpaw at its website. Get the swag on Spring. Also check out Liberation Martial Arts Online.)