R.e.s.p.e.c.t

[Jarrell Garcia]

Relatively simple question, but something to really reflect on, as I have been for the past month or two. Do/Can you (personally) respect a BJJ Black Belt who you do not respect as a person?

[Brian Debes]

Meh, I'll have nothing to do with them if they are Scumbags. Top grapplers are plentiful, I don't need to spend time on pour role models, I won't even give them my clicks on their stuff.

[Arman Fathi]

I would say if they're running class and you find yourself having jumped into said class, you invariably show respect to your teachers. There is still a lot to learn. One needn't go out of their way to attend that class if they don't feel inclined, but it has happened where I'm literally at an academy, see who's teaching, may be in such predicament you propose, and decide it's better to train than to not train. The love for jiu-jitsu overshadows my personal feelings toward a single person. To answer your question, I can still respect them as a black belt, because our relationship notwithstanding, they've still put in the time and taken the beatings necessary to reach that point. Their game is still legit. Will I hang out with them before or after? Odds are....low. I don't believe it's right however to outwardly show any form of disrespect within the confines of an academy. From the moment we enter the academy to the moment we leave, the student is bound by duty to at least be a pleasant person. Though you'd hope for this 24/7. At least in the academy however, I can respect their accomplishment, I can respect their mat space if they are the one's teaching class, but no one is holding a gun to my head to be in the same building as that person or be on their mat space if my personal feelings towards them are overwhelmingly glaring over anything else. Bottom line, if we as students take the time to show up to their class, take the time to suit up in a gi or rash guard or whatever, we owe it to at least ourSELVES to be all about the jiu jitsu over our lack of respect for who is teaching. Pick up what you can. At the end of the day, we have a choice over whether or not we show up to that mat space on that given day.

On the internet, it's easy. We don't have to follow and/or friend them.

[NelsonLucca]

I think it's a case by case scenario. For example, said black belt is an alcoholic and you don't drink. You may not respect his lifestyle choice but I think you can still respect him as an instructor and learn from him. Depends on what they do to lose your respect.

[Scott Chapman]

If a legitimate black belt then there is a level of respect for the time and energy and sacrifice made to get to that ranking, but you do not have to respect the person wearing it. Just means to be the bigger person and not let them get under your skin and minimize your time with that person.

[John Mejia]

Belt or not, If they're an asshole they're an asshole. Just because you achieve the rank of Blackbelt, doesn't make you more enlightened or to be treated like a deity.

There are plenty of Blackbelts, Find someone you can respect as a human being, and as an instructor. Your Jiu Jitsu journey will flourish under positive conditions.

[Jarrell Garcia]

This is not a question of personal circumstance, but more for people to think about. I'm up here with Alex Canders, Big Red, and Denny, so this is definitely not an issue for me. Good perspectives guys

[John Mejia]

This is not a question of personal circumstance, but more for people to think about. I'm up here with Alex Canders, Big Red, and Denny, so this is definitely not an issue for me. Good perspectives guys

I feel you on that, all super good dudes. I was just talking in general as well