Everything Self Defense Columbia, South Carolina

According to History.com , "Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister and social activist who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. Inspired by advocates of nonviolence such as Mahatma Gandhi, King sought equality for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged and victims of injustice through peaceful protest. He was the driving force behind watershed events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, which helped bring about such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and is remembered each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S. federal holiday since 1986." Featured below is a video of the "I Have A Dream" speech King spoke on a march on Washington in 1963.  In my opinion, this is one of the most inspiring speeches I have ever heard. Some ask, well ...

Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times Keith Cummings said bullying “definitely played a major role” in his niece’s death. By MATT FLEGENHEIMER Published: January 3, 2012 Amanda Cummings was not shy about her interests: animals and poetry, shopping and Katy Perry music, summer afternoons by the swimming pool and excursions to Manhattan, where she hoped to live some day. Amanda Cummings, 15, died six days after a witness saw her jump in front of a bus. But in the days and weeks before her death, her family said, Amanda, 15, often concealed what some friends seemed to know: she was being bullied, in person and on Facebook, by peers from her Staten Island high school. Amanda died Monday at Staten Island University Hospital, six days after being struck by a southbound Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus on Hylan Boulevard in Dongan Hills, Staten Island. A witness saw her jump in front of the bus around 7:30 p.m., and she was carrying a suicide note in her pocket, the...

The recent statistics on domestic violence really are staggering.  1 in 4 women are predicted to be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. The reality of domestic violence became all too real for me this month. I was contacted by a women who was interested in enrolling in my school but wasn't able to start after the holidays.  After talking to her on the phone for a few minutes, I could sense something was not right.  After questioning her, she confided to me that she was being abused by her boyfriend, who had threatened to kill her repeated.  Even though she had gone to the police, the legal system really wasn't protecting her and she was very scared. I invited her to my school the very next day and worked with her for nearly 3 hours one on one.  While I realize one lesson will not make her safe, I tried to offer her some basic tools, mental as well as physical to help protect herself. I also provided a folder of resources for her to look into, particularly, one of ...

Did you know that 1 in 4 women in the United States is a victim of domestic violence sometime in her life? 1 in 4 means that approximately 2.5 million women will be victims of domestic violence in 2012 1 in 4 means that a woman you know is or has been a victim of domestic violence 1 in 4 means that it could be your mom, grandma, sister, aunt, coworker or friend Check out the NNEDV for help: New "What If We All Spoke As One" Video from NNEDV - Add Your Voice to end Domestic Violence The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) works to ensure that there is someone there in every state and community around the country—to listen, to care and to help anyone who needs us. You have the power to make sure that when it happens to someone you know, they have someone to turn to. You have the power to end their suffering by standing with NNEDV to support victims who need help and to bring an end to domestic violence.

The following suggestions are brought to you by The Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) HOW CAN I HELP A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS BEING ABUSED? Don’t be afraid to let him or her know that you are concerned for their safety.  Help your friend or family member recognize the abuse. Tell him or her you see what is going on and that you want to help. Help them recognize that what is happening is not “normal” and that they deserve a healthy, non-violent relationship. Acknowledge that he or she is in a very difficult and scary situation.  Let your friend or family member know that the abuse is not their fault. Reassure him or her that they are not alone and that there is help and support out there. Be supportive.  Listen to your friend or family member. Remember that it may be difficult for him or her to talk about the abuse. Let him or her know that you are available to help whenever they may need it. What they need most is someone who will believe and listen t...

I am sorry that the wonderful career of a living legend like Joe Paterno has come to an abrupt end. It sure would have been nice to see him leave coaching on his terms. However, in light of the information coming out of the grand jury investigation, I have to ask myself why this legend did not do more? As a father of 3 boys, I can't understand why Joepa (as he is affectionately called) did not follow up with the authorities or do more to "press" the issue with his superiors? This whole controversy has been shockingly horrible and one can only imagine what these poor children went through.  If you have not had a chance to read the grand jury report, I have provided a copy of it below for you. WARNING..... The details in this report are graphic and highly disturbing, but it will present a better picture of what occurred and help you decide if enough was done. It is my opinion that the board acted properly by firing Coach Paterno and the president and it is m...

One of the missions of my school, is to help every child I can deal with the issue of bullying.  We cover in class, it's part of our school curriculum, I do free workshops for children and adults and I do several presentations in the local schools throughout the year. I am a BIG believer in how the karate , or the martial arts for that matter, can help most children learn to deal with bullies.  While there is something to learn how to block and strike, more importantly, karate gives children the confidence to stand up, ignore or just plain walk away from bullies. If you don't believe me, check out the article below; just another successful school that addresses bullying head on and helps kids deal with this important issue. By Amanda Perez FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The kids at Fresno Ultimate Martial Arts may be small, but the lessons they're learning there are having a giant impact. Seven-year-old Makayla Bea has been enrolled the martial arts studio since kinde...