from the February, 2013 issue of Kiai!

Legacy of MLK Lives On in Thousand Waves Day Camps

 

By Jun Shihan Sarah Ludden


The kids wrote and decorated their individual
"I have a dream" visions. See the finished products
hanging in the lobby.


Kids take three karate classes during day camp.

Thousand Waves Day Camps!  What a gift to spend both Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Lincoln’s Birthday here at the dojo with 20 karate kids.  Senpai Carmina, Danielle, Saul and Raphael (some of the kids’ favorite teachers) and I enjoy the luxury of time with the children—time to talk, eat a meal, create art, train and play.  It’s a precious opportunity to both deepen our relationships and to broaden our understanding of the purpose of our karate training. 

We start the day talking together, introducing ourselves, the children voicing their requests for their karate classes that day, me outlining the day’s schedule.  January 21st was a most special day, MLK day and inauguration day.   In our camp circle we discussed the civil rights movement, the injustice of segregation and discrimination, the violence of racism, the heroism of people who fought back, and the leadership and inspiring example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The conversation was remarkable and included the power of non-violence, the courage needed to stand up for what is right, and how our karate training prepares us to walk the walk, to honor the legacy of Dr. King.

What injustices still exist?  What problems do we face in our own lives?  After I read key sections from Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the kids shared their dreams for a better world.  They opened their hearts and spoke of no more bullying, no teasing, no mean speech, no peer pressure to do bad things, all schools being good schools, all religions being respected, no more guns, no more gun violence in our streets and in our parks and in our schools. 

I asked: how does karate help us build a more peaceful world? 
“We learn to speak up when someone is being teased.” 
“We make lots of friends and learn about each other.” 
“We get real strong and that helps us do hard things!” 
“We have our Code of Ethics to remind us how to act.” 

And the wisdom of a 6 year old, “I have a dream there will be more happiness.  More friends means more happiness.” 

After lunch the kids wrote and decorated their individual “I have a dream” visions.  The children’s artwork now brightens the lobby area and is a forceful reminder of their heartfelt desires for inclusivity, kindness and peace.  They are the living legacy of Dr. King’s genius and courage.  

I am grateful for the time the day camps offer to do lots of karate together and to explore the links between the students’ training and their lives outside the dojo—talking about how to apply their skills to intervene in bullying situations, when children are being excluded from games, when they witness teasing and hateful speech, and more.

Thank you to Senpai Carmina, Danielle, Saul and Raphael for providing such fun, safe and stimulating day camps.  The next scheduled day camp is Wednesday, April 17th.  Join us!