Choke Holds

So apparently one of the typical idiots on the one news outlet I refuse to watch claims that it wasn’t actually a choke hold that the cop put on Eric Garner. Well, as a Black Belt and former Kenpo Instructor, I’m here to tell you that it most definitely was. And on top of that, watching the video, it was clear to me that not only was a choke hold applied, but the officer applying the choke hold, in the scuffle fell backwards with Mr. Garner, making the choke hold even more effective. Then, all those cops who piled on, put pressure on Mr. Garner’s chest, all the while Mr. Garner was telling them he couldn’t breathe.

At some point, it was over..including Eric Garner’s life. And, as we all know, the cop in question was not indicted. It was all there on video, but no justice will happen unless the feds can do something.

We trained a student once who was extremely obese. I had to order the largest sized gi for him, and he had to then have it altered to fit. We had to be extremely careful when he fell, so that he didn’t break anything. He was an outstanding student. He was committed and he advanced. But it was a different experience when training him. As in the case of Eric Garner, he too had health problems that needed to be dealt with during training. Essentially, we were dealing with a disabled person, just as were the police on that fateful day.

I can’t imagine the terror Mr. Garner must have felt as his breath was being suppressed. My youngest boy was choked at school one day by another student. It was frightening, and although my son was a martial artist, he wasn’t permitted to defend himself without risking expulsion and arrest. He was in the fourth grade. So, he did nothing to defend himself. Thank the Goddess that an adult was nearby and stopped the whole thing, or my son might not be alive today.

As a mother and a Kenpo Black Belt, this decision by the grand jury is so troubling. Anyone who uses any kind of self-defense move knows that they must be responsible for whatever damage they cause, including facing incarceration. It MUST be self-defense. In the case of Eric Garner, with as many cops around him, any number of responses were possible in lieu of a choke hold. They could have tased him if necessary. Or they could have simply had a conversation with him. But they didn’t have to kill him, especially when the use of choke holds are clearly defined within NYPD procedures. It’s not that it can’t be used, but it can’t be used in a situation like this one. Mr. Garner didn’t have a weapon, and the balance of power was clear.

All life matters. We define everyone, placing them into varying degrees of acceptableness. Unless you’re the right skin color, you might just end up paying the ultimate price. People like the guy on the awful news network I refuse to watch need to find their hearts, because clearly, they’ve lost them. Then, they need to open their hearts and feel the pain the family of Eric Garner is feeling right about now. Add to that Michael Brown and Tamir Rice. The list is growing exponentially as every day passes. It’s as if black boys and men are being picked off, one by one, with no regard for the consequences. And given the recent grand jury decisions, it’s clear that the justice system is quickly becoming the place to hand the perpetrator his freedom on a silver platter.

But let’s not kid ourselves into believing that this wasn’t a choke hold. If you don’t believe me, go down to your nearest martial arts school and ask someone to demonstrate one..on you. Just so you know.

This didn’t have to happen. Eric Garner should be alive and with his family. Period.