Ninja and MLK, Jr

We took lots of calls today to see if we'd be open. It got me to thinking about why I choose to be open on today. The quick answer is that I love to train and I want people to have lots of opportunities to get on the mat. 

The more important reason is that it's my way of honoring the values that inspire me. I remember reading the "I Have a Dream" speech in middle school. It touched me. It made me believe in possibilities. It also helped me realize that race and privilege are important issues. When I founded my business, inclusivity was one of my key values. Many traditional martial arts schools attract a conservative clientele. I wanted to attract the dreamers--the people willing to commit to a dream, people who want make the world a better place. I'm proud that we range between 1/3 and 1/2 female. I'm proud that we have a variety of races, professions, gender identities, and sexual preference. I'm also proud that I often have no idea about these demographics. I care about people's vision and the people they want to become. I like to think I'm helping to further MLK Jr's vision too.