![]() ![]() These factors may have affected how people approached the materials or how they viewed the authors’ intentions. Also, several of the early authors lacked a close affiliation to the Gracies or published their materials under pseudonyms. There is truth that humans have inherit biases and some authors have previously displayed a distinct anti-Gracie slant. It was not my intention to upset people or burn bridges or embarrass anyone. Referring to the provocative question above will I get into trouble? The answer is…I don’t know. I still wholeheartedly endorse the works of the others mentioned above, I just know not everyone wants to read three hundred page dissertations for fun. The articles can also serve as simple reference points for people who need to quickly revisit an incident or person to clarify their understanding. A format that I feel will lead to easier consumption and retention. One to two page articles focusing on particular individuals, events or contributions. What I have tried to achieve with this site is to create a “Reader’s Digest” version. After reading the thousand pages, a reader may remember a particular incident or contribution, but forget whether it was Omori or Yano that did it. That book may also contain thirty paragraphs on Takeo Yano. While a book may cover the biographical details of Geo Omori, for example, those references may be broken down into thirty separate paragraphs splintered across one thousand pages of text. Some of the books were massive tomes, covering hundreds of people and events spanning decades. People did really have an interest in learning the actual history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and much of the published materials were not easily digestible by everyone. ![]() However, over the years, in talking with my training partners, I realized two things. I found many of the materials excellent and truly, thought provoking. I really had no intention of contributing at all. ![]() For someone like me, who started training back in 1995, it was fascinating to be inundated with so much new information derived from actual, primary sources. While many aspects of the “Gracie version” of the story are generally accurate, there were so many other people and events that contributed to shaping, developing, proving and spreading our art. ![]() With the advent of scholarly research, books, articles and videos being published by Chadi, Robert Drysdale, Roberto Pedreira, Jose Cairus and others, troves of information became accessible and led to a more detailed, nuanced and robust account of the history of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil in the twentieth century. It was not really something that I had considered. It was usually some variation of, “But, will you get in trouble?”. However, I was not prepared for the follow up question that I received after almost every compliment. It has been great to have the encouragement, know that people have interest in learning our history and that they are enjoying the materials that I am producing. As I have published my history articles and partnered with Chadi on the videos, I have been thankful of the positive feedback and support that I have gotten from the BJJ community. ![]()
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