There is a fighting style, known as 52 Blocks — according to Vice “…the term refers to a purported codified New York prison system-specific style of Jail House Boxing, aka Jail House Rock... The moves themselves supposedly reflect the prison environment. The idea is that the tight stances, lack of far-ranging movement, and emphasis on survival and defense were designed to function in the confines of a prison cell than a ring.” Defensively and offensively, the 52 never stops moving. The torso is constantly shifting and turning. The techniques have been handed down through word of mouth. So it’s history (much like many black histories) is a bit fuzzy. 52 Blocks scholar Daniel Marks, who first learned of the form from street savvy recruits while in the Army, refers in a brief monograph to the southern African American fighting of “Knocking and Kicking.” Frazier similarly connects Jail House Rock back to a “Virginia Scufflin” boxing practiced by slaves in the 1800s. The existence of enslaved bare knuckle boxers—like the famous Tom Molineaux—who were forced to fight for their masters’ entertainment, is documented in other sources, including the foundational early-1800s prize fighting account, Boxiana. Marks and Frazier both connect Southern African American fighting styles back to African martial arts, such as Hausa Boxing (also known as Dambe) in Nigeria.
Black History 365 | # 167 Korean Fried Chicken
The amazing fried delicacy we’ve come to love and is extremely popular in from Korea was actually taught by African-American soldiers during the Korean War. According to a Korean fried chicken and Yuri shop in Texas, most food historians would agree that these are the origins…yeah it’s like that!
Black History 365 | # 166 The Aeta People of the Philippines
The Aeta People are the descendants of the original African natives and inhabitants of the Philippines. It is said that “Aetas are found in Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Angeles, Olongapo, Panay, Bataan and Nueva Ecija. But because of the Mount Pinatubo eruption, some of them moved to resettlement areas in Pampanga and Tarlac.” The Aeta receive little-to-no recognition and support from the government. They have lost much of their ancestral domain to land grabbers, loggers, and corrupt mining operations. Because they are usually spread out in mountainous areas, the Spaniards had a hard time introducing Catholicism to their population. They mostly resisted to change, which made it difficult for the Spanish to colonize their areas. This is also one of the reasons why they were able to preserve their cultural traditions and beliefs through to today.
Black History 365 | # 164 Vybz Kartel
BIG UP TO VYBZ KARTEL! Enjoy your freedom bruddah. Vybz Kartel is possibly the biggest dancehall artist. This is black history, know’dat.
