Black Belt – August-September 2019

Photo by Robert W. Young

Up Close With Kajukenbo’s

DAMON GILBERT

Black Belt: In the old days, people used to say that if you’re

confident, no one will mess with you. Based on your experi-

ence as a martial artist and a police officer, is that still the

case in the 21st century?

Damon Gilbert: Statistically, you’re probably less likely to be

a victim, but sometimes it doesn’t work because the attacker

has a mental illness or because he has so much hatred for

what you stand for that he doesn’t care if you look him in the

eye and are very confident. It all depends on the sub-

ject and his motive.

But it is very important for women’s self-defense

programs and anti-bullying programs to teach people

to look confident and stand their ground. Potential

attackers do not want to be identified. If they’re walking

past you and you look them in the face and, because

you feel a little strange, you say, “How are you doing

today, sir?” while making eye contact, there’s a good

chance the person will think, I don’t want to grab this

woman when she goes to the ATM because she knows

what I look like.

Black Belt: And if a person does the opposite?

Damon Gilbert: If you see someone approaching and

immediately look down, the person isn’t worried about

being identified, and there’s a higher percentage you

could be victimized. This is not a guarantee, but it’s an

important part of lessening the possibility that you will

be targeted.

Black Belt: In a male-versus-male encounter, can

showing confidence backfire?

Damon Gilbert: Sure. Confidence is borderline.

Sometimes it goes past the line and becomes cocky.

Then you can have two individuals who don’t have

enough discipline. They’re just so into whatever their

mission statement is that their cockiness adds fuel to

the fire.

Black Belt: What should a person do in that kind of

situation?

Damon Gilbert: When I teach my students and do

health-and-safety programs in the city, I tell people that

if you have something you can live without, then live

without it. You can take my wallet if it means I don’t

have to get into a combative situation and I can see

the gun in your hand. You can take my car — it’s why I

have insurance. Sometimes it’s good to have a throw-

away wallet, one that has no personal information,

maybe a few dollars and some photos of people you

don’t know. Then if you do end up in a situation where

you’re being robbed, you give it to them.

For more self-defense wisdom from Damon Gilbert,

see the February/March 2018 issue of Black Belt.

14 BLACKBELTMAG.COM § AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019