MY BROTHER: A LIVING LEGEND!

 

You have already seen his master-work on the mega movie screen, (who has not seen Lethal Weapon®?) His tiny footprint has also made an impact in other Hollywood hits, but that is not what has made him a living legend in the hearts and minds of the African-American community at large.

He is known in Brazil as “Mestre Preto Velho”, (named after a great revolutionary Capoeira Master). He is a master in the flamboyant and deadly martial art called Capoeira, (specifically “Os Malandros de Mestre Touro”, sponsored by Tekura Jegnas, Inc.), which flies the banner of Capoeira Angola de Sao Bento Grande. (Whew! More than a mouthful to say the least.)

His given name is Dennis Duane Newsome, (I call him Bro), and you have heard me casually mention his first name in connection with my BFAMs. We became BFAMs nearly 50 years ago, back in San Diego Community College. We met in a famed journalism class, taught by the incomparable Ms Dixon. Dennis asked for a volunteer to demonstrate his then flagship martial art “Testa Adapted”, (read the article here). Being a viable Black Belt Karate instructor, I instantly volunteered to be his guinea pig. He instructed me to “throw a punch”, which I did, as deftly and quickly as I could, stopping an inch before striking his nose; and then instantly retracting my fist to the ready position. He was somewhat unphased and simply laughed saying, “A regular punch!” I then sent a satisfying “John Wayne” punch in his direction, which he parried and demonstrated his planned Testa Adapted counter strike. From that day on, we have been inseparable BFAMs.

Mestre Preto Velho’s style of martial art, in general, is practical, effective, and lethal. When you see the sparks fly from the twin machetes in his maculele exhibitions, you know that the blows are not “staged” or choreographed like some deadly dance. The practitioners must be well-versed with the stick version of maculele before attempting to employ the dangerous art with blades.

Mestre Preto Velho incorporates the same philosophy in his unarmed Capoeira matches as well. If your opponent swings a powerful leg attack in your direction, you must evade or be struck by it, plain and simple. It is a friendly “kill or be killed” contact sport within the ranks of Mestre Preto Velho’s student family. If it is not real, it is not his style.

Of course, there is a more demonstrational side of Capoeira, the Regional style, (pronounced “Hay’Gen,All”). Regional Capoeira is more popular with Europeans, and tourists because of its more “dance-like” practices. Women can more or less stand on equal footing with their male counterparts in this art, because legs are generally stronger than arms, and flexibility outweighs brute force. (Would you rather wield a 2-by-4 or a whip?)

Dennis was the first African-American to officially become a Capoeira Master in the United States. His, (and my), Grand Master is Mestre Touro, a powerful, fearsome yet gentle man who clearly loves and lives life to the fullest. To look at him, one would merely see an old, bearded, chubby teddy bear, who smiles like Jolly Old Saint Nick. However, if Mestre Touro came down your chimney, it would be wise to get the heck out of Dodge! He is surprisingly agile and quick, and he is the only Capoeira Master, to put the fear of God in the Gracie Jujitsu Clan. (Although they will never admit it publically.)

My BFAM, Dennis, is a devoted father, community leader, corporate businessman, master martial artist, writer, and faithful son. He is easy to get to know, and eager to educate and enlighten the youth of his district. He is a “Noah’s Ark” of esoteric and contemporary African, American, and European martial arts. Should you be blessed enough to meet him, you will expand your mind in many diverse directions. However, beware, he is a heathen!