“Chinese Britons have put up with racism for too long”
I stumbled across the story of Danny Chen on Facebook, the 19 year old Chinese-American soldier who was allegedly racially bullied to death by his comrades which subsequently led me to the title article by Elizabeth Chan on The Guardian’s website.
Whilst I’m not shocked at the content of the article I was quite surprised by the feedback given by people who had commented on the link which I’d posted on various forums who stated they were unaware and didn’t know or even take notice of the racism that Chinese Brits are subjected to. The article was well written and was great in it’s exposure of a ‘minority group’ – but I was surprised at how long it took for a mainstream media publication to publish something like this.
Personally I’ve faced more racism between the ages of 11 and 16 (even now it continues) than most people in their lifetimes. My views on the reasons why it happens changes from time to time but has finally settled on not blaming the upbringing of the ‘attacker’ but the ‘risk factor’.
Ask any of the colleagues I work with in the security industry. I can guarantee you every shift there will be some smart arse who will make a ‘jokey’ remark about Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Kung Fu or Chinese food – the reason why? Because the risk of backlash from a Chinese person is far far less than if you were to make the same type of joke to a black or Asian person.
It’s funny to take the piss out of a Chinese guy right? “He’s not going to do anything”, let’s call him Jackie Chan and laugh drunkenly in his face as he serves us food. “Oh look he’s getting angry, ha! I bet he’ll Kung Fu us all!” is a scenario not too dissimilar to what I’ve experience before. But would they do that to a black guy? “Oh look it’s Samuel L Jackson!” let’s laugh in his face and make whipping sounds at him! “K-tssssh!!!”. It’s a guarantee that the latter wouldn’t happen.
A human being’s brain calculates risk which then affects the proceeding actions. Animals do the same thing. A hyena will calculate the risk of stealing food from pride of lions, if the risk is too great because the pride is baring it’s teeth and claws, willing to defend themselves – it’ll move on but then where does it end up? At the waterhole – hungry, curious and needing respite – so it looks over at the wildebeest. Although they’re a force in the masses, they don’t fight back often so the hyena calculates the risk. As a herd, they’re sparse and there’s not many and they certainly don’t LOOK like they could defend themselves properly – so they attack. In the same way as the pissed up student would when he’s just been told to “Fuck off” by the Chinese woman who no longer wants to put up with his small minded shit.
Risk. What are the risks?
Ramblings of a Confused Kleptomaniac
As I lay there in the bathtub trying to think about something that wasn’t a box, packing or bill related – it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn’t posted anything in a while. A month to be precise. I’m always aware when I don’t post for long periods of time but that’s when I hit the writing wall, where I struggle to think of words to put in a sentence to be regurgitated onto a website.
Forever fearful of posting any old rubbish – as I am now – I like to fall back on musings and recapping of what’s been happening since I last posted anything half decent.
So here I am sat here amongst bags full of old bank statements, boxes full of herbs, spices and gravy granules as well as big plastic crates of what looks to be assorted crap. I’d like to announce that I’m moving. Yes, again. Only this time to a grown up place, a 2 bedroomed house to be exact – my own red bricked, ex council, good old gas central heated, with a drive and a decent living space… house. Alone. Not with Mrs Ste or a housemate. Myself.
Ever since I can remember I’ve always had an unspoken/unwritten rule, scared of being mocked by my peers I always kept them to myself and so now I unleash them onto the ever curious and nosey World Wide Web.
From an early age I’ve always watched my parents work and just about make ends meet. My pathetic attempts at helping them failed as I found myself wanting to help my friends retrieve the football from the neighbour’s garden or trying (and failing) to hide my smoking habit. Watching your parents struggle from an early age plants something in your mind, something that you’re not born with or able to develop in a short space of time – motivation.
I hate not being to do things for myself so to cut a long story short, I refuse to fail in things that are within my control so in my head I’d think of what grown ups were doing and would want the life of a ‘grown up’. My own house, car, motorcycle, stunning missus, a talent that not everybody has, a strong group of friends, a decent job earning decent money and now I have all those.
But as I sit here tapping away at my laptop with the broken DVD drive, staring at (what I assume is) a spit covered screen, surrounded by stuff I steal from places I visit (as a momento of course), I get the horrible feeling that it’s all just beginning.
I’m now going on (or it actually might be) 2 months out of the gym with a smashed ankle and I feel less and less motivated about going back. Every single day I think about training but the dull ache in my ligaments prevents me from doing anything. I can’t even run. Instead I’ve settled for a life I never in a hundred years wanted – to come home after work and sit in front of a box playing shapes, colours and sounds which mean nothing and can’t improve my life.
Stressful is the life of a quarter century year old man whose body is in bits who would give up everything to go back to rolling on the floor and punching people in the face tomorrow.
Brian Hyslop Interview
Picture Courtesy of On Top Promotions
The Griphouse in Glasgow has a penchant for breeding violent MMA midgets in ways not too dissimilar to the way that Uruk-hai are bred in ‘Lord of The Rings’.
Spearheaded by European bantamweight champion, hugely popular and absolutely bonkers Ultimate Fighter try out, ‘Metabolic’ Paul McVeigh, the Dinky Ninjas Fight Team have carved a path through UK MMA and is held in high regard for producing solid, well rounded and game as badgers fighters i.e. James Doolan, Sean Wright, Allan Love, Scott Ward and many more
Within this famously tough team stands recently turned professional flyweight, Brian ‘Hissy’ Hyslop. Undefeated at professional level (3-0) and due to make his BAMMA debut against BJJ Brown Belt Ian Malone of Gracie Barra Newcastle, Hyslop is currently ranked 6th in the UK after defeating Shamsul Haque via TKO (GnP) in September. We took up a few moments of Hissy’s time to discuss his previous experiences, current lifestyle and his future in MMA…
Tell us a little about yourself Brian…
I’ve been doing MMA for about 4 years fighting and I’ve been fighting pro for 1.
I used to box and boxed from the age of 13 through to 19 and had around 15 amateur fights. My father, grandfather and great grandfather were all pro boxers so I guess I followed in their footsteps.
What made you make the switch from boxing to MMA?
I just prefer it – I think boxing is watered down. MMA is more of a fight, more of a challenge.
My first ever session was with Paul McVeigh coaching and he taught me how to do a guillotine and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s even my favourite submission; the Hissitine!
Who/what is your biggest influence in MMA?
Paul McVeigh definitely – I try to emulate my MMA style around his cos I love his style and he’s taught me pretty much everything I know.
You’re fighting on Saturday, how’s it feel to be making your debut on BAMMA 8?
It feels amazing, I feel right up for it. I’ve had tonsillitis all this week but it doesn’t matter.
How much do you know about your opponent? I know your original opponent changed from Owen Gayle to Malone… has that affected your training much? How much do you know about him?
I know he’s a brown belt in BJJ, has some Thai boxing, obviously a good grappler but I don’t think his stand up is on the same level as mine to be honest. The opponent change didn’t affect my training much – I’m just going to do what I’m going to do.
What are your goals within MMA?
I want to be the number 1 flyweight. I’m going to be one of the first Flyweight champions in the UFC.
A couple of stupid questions; Who hits you the hardest?
Conor Hyslop my younger brother!
We know Griphouse/DNFT are famous for breeding mental violent midgets but out of them all – who is the most mental?
Mad John Mcilroy, I’ve got a million stories about John but not one of them is printable!
Finally; any shouts out?
Shout out to all the Dinky Ninjas, BAMMA, my little brother Conor, On Top Promotions and I want to dedicate this fight to Ally McCrae who passed away 2 weeks ago.
*Following his decision win on BAMMA, Hyslop was voted ‘Breakthrough Professional Fighter of the year in the Scottish MMA awards hosted by YourMMA.tv – article can be found by clicking here*
Artem ‘The Prospect Killer’ Lobov Interview
An interview with SBG Ireland’s, Artem ‘The Prospect Killer’ Lobov can be by clicking here.
What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
I came across this video by Roy Dean whilst lifted one night and it stuck in my mind as the perfect, albeit long, way of describing what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is.
Take a look:
