Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecil Washington.
Hi Cecil, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
How I got to where I am in body: lessons as a toddler from Judo Grandmaster Edwin Takemori, later Karate and Taekwondo lessons as a teenager from John Hawkings, Tangsoodo lessons from David Dorsey, and a ton of input and ideas shared by family, friends, teachers and mentors. The first black belt I was awarded was from Master Steve Shorts when I was an adult, 1st degree in Taekwondo. I later got a 1st degree black belt in Judo from the Maryland Judo Association. I have since then been recognized at higher ranks in those and other styles, and my own martial arts style, Cecil Ryu Martial Arts is recognized by the United States Head of Family Martial Arts association via Dr. Joseph Parrish. I teach part time through the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning association and have also given private lessons to those who are interested.
On a physical level, yes, I am teaching people how to use moves from two different combat sports, Taekwondo (kick, punch) and Judo (throw, hold, lock).
I noticed that the burden that falls on regular civilians in terms of self defense is that we need to be ready to defend ourselves against almost anything that can conceivably come at us, yet, we have no authority to arrest anyone. Granted, I have heard of what is called a “citizen’s arrest” but I have yet to see anyone actually get away with doing that in real life. And I am willing to be wrong about the powers and abilities of being able to citizen arrest someone—-I just do not believe it is actually there for a lot of people. I don’t see how a small child is going to be able to citizen arrest a larger one, or an adult with bad intentions.
The burden of violence that I have to deal with as a civilian may also not be just an attack, I may have to calm someone down. Am I going to do a citizen’s arrest on someone who has lost their mind due to drug use or mental health issues? Or, would I more likely be involved with wanting to restore peace. As a civilian, my society has conditioned me to reach for a phone and call the police or ambulance as the final authorities. My society is also probably going to judge me harshly if I do try to act as an authority, as a citizen who believes he has right to arrest, especially if there is any harm done to the person who was violent.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest struggles were money and time.
As a child, we did not have the money for me to train consistently, so I looked and borrowed ideas from TV, books, and other people.
As an adult, once I got a job and could spend my own money, I lacked time. It’s tough commuting from Maryland to DC for work and trying to find time for a class, if a class is even available, and be married, and be a parent. If you have to work late, that’s even less time. Since most martial arts programs stress student attendance, they assumed that I was not serious if I was missing classes, or said that I was using my responsibilities as an excuse.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known for teaching martial arts part time and working full time as a software tester. I also was a local rapper and trombone player back in the 1990s for a live band. All of those skills find their way into teaching. HIp Hop gave me public speaking skills and the ability to feel comfortable in front of a group. The way an emcee gets a feel for a crowd is similar to the way a teacher gets a feel for the focus of the students. I have also given demos in front of large crowds with no problem thanks to my time performing music. These days, you have to be comfortable with technology in order to reach people online, so that’s where my software testing background comes in handy. The T analysis and thinking from software testing helps me to learn new martial arts techniques, keeps me humble and reminds me that no matter what, there is always more to learn. Software testers also have to know how to write and how to at times, tell people things they do not want to hear.
The thing I am most proud of is that my martial arts skills got me an IT job where I installed and tested wide area network upgrades in a few inner-city neighborhoods back in the day. The recruiter picked me because she said I had a “warrior stare ” and assumed I would not be afraid to show up (they had technicians before who were too afraid of the locations to do the installations). She was also swayed by my then darkened knuckles from a few years of knuckle pushups. Because of that job, I helped people who needed help the most be able to get access to medicine when I was all of 20 or 21 years old.
What matters most to you? Why?
Being able to share the martial arts with people who need it. Why? So they can protect themselves and other people.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://cecilryu.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecilryumartialarts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CecilRyu
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilwashington
- Twitter: https://x.com/CecilRyu
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CecilRyuTaekwondo
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/@cecilryuhiphop
