STAN BROWN

Interviewed by Aurélien Henry OBAMA

Shiai Magazine: Welcome brother Stan Brown to Shiai Magazine, can you tell us about your life and what brought you in the practices of martial arts?

STAN BROWN: I have always loved the martial arts, I've dabbled in different disciplines I've found that most are one-dimensional and heavily stylized. I'm currently a Chicago police officer and therefore have different needs than a cage fighter or enthusiast.

Shiai Magazine:Are you aware of the existence of African martial arts?

STAN BROWN: I am.

Shiai Magazine:Have been to Africa before?

STAN BROWN: No. I'm afraid not. The closest I came was my time in the Middle-East as a marine.

Shiai Magazine:Can you mention African/Black martial artists you have worked with or train together?

STAN BROWN: Unique Gathings. A former Navy SEAL who is also an MMA coach and high-level grappler. He runs Combat Zone Jui-jitsu in Chicago.

Shiai Magazine:What is exactly RAVEN Method, what makes it particular and effective in a real life fight situation?

STAN BROWN: RAVEN stands for Rapid Anti-Violent Engagement Neutralization. What makes it effective are its simplistic techniques and limited skill- set. I know in the age of reality-based self-defense you've heard it all before but we really mean it. You don't need previous martial arts experience, a high level of athleticism or treat it like a second job.

Shiai Magazine:Civilians practices martial arts for health, sport and self defense as a veteran of United States Marine Corp and police officer how does people in the uniform practices martial arts?

STAN BROWN: Like you mean it. Like your life depends on it, which it does. Having the proper mindset is what's really essential.

Shiai Magazine:Today some people consider that martial arts has become a sport and it is no more effective in the streets facing fire arms, knives, multiple opponents and so forth?

STAN BROWN: I agree. That stems from monetary needs. An instructor may know and prefer teaching hardcore self-defense or traditional arts like karate and kung-fu, but MMA is what's hot. Putting food on the table takes priority. As a result weapons use, weapons defense multiple attacker scenarios and the like go away because they have no place in the ring. Hence the emergence of RBSD.

Shiai Magazine:What is defensive tactics all about?

STAN BROWN: In my belief it's about recognizing a threat, meeting that threat and taking it down as effectively and efficiently as possible without devoting years of life to training.

Shiai Magazine:Where can one learn the RAVEN method? Is it open to all people? Is it possible to have workshop? Is there any book or DVD?

STAN BROWN: RAVEN method is taught locally in several cities around the world. Our hub cities include Chicago, IL., San Antonio TX., Fairbanks, AL., Fairfax VA., St. Petersburg, FL. and Madrid, Spain. In addition to our hub locations RAVEN method instructors and representatives can be found in Italy, Germany, England, Bosnia, Serbia, Romania, Brazil, Chile Argentina Mexico Canada. Supporters of RAVEN Tactical International can be found in Venezuela, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Iran, Iraq and other locations. RAVEN method can be learned through an affiliate school, seminars and our distance learning program.

Shiai Magazine:Today many Africans/Blacks across the world want to valorize their impact in the martial arts and sport combats including promotion of their fighting systems, why sudden desire in our people?

STAN BROWN: Athletics are one of the few thing poor people of any color have going for them and with so many blacks below the poverty line around the globe it was inevitable that black people would throw their hats into the ring, so to speak. This is the latest iteration of that.

Shiai Magazine:What advice can you give to African child who wants to get away from crimes and want to succeed in life although poverty is an obstacle?

STAN BROWN: My mother always taught me that I would be an adult longer than I would be a child, so don't do something in the first eight-teen years of your life that will ruin the next fifty.

Shiai Magazine:Do you think that Africans can make a great action martial arts movies filmed in the African continent with upcoming movies like “The Tribe”, Lost Brother”Waka-waka man” and Dirty Risks “Live or die in Africa”. Not forgetting the upcoming African American movie “The Way”.

STAN BROWN: Absolutely. Great action movies aren't exclusive to the U.S. and Hong Kong. There are film markets emerging all over the world and it'll be great to see a film that showcases African martial arts.

Shiai Magazine: Do you have any future projects you will like to talk about?

STAN BROWN: I'm currently in the middle of writing a manual of drills and combative exercises for the members of RAVEN.

Shiai Magazine: What do you think about this African online martial arts magazine? Do you think that it should be supported by entire black communities in the martial arts?

STAN BROWN: Yes, I do. There are very few black fighters, teachers and promoters in the realm of competitive fighting and combat sports and will sometimes find themselves outside the loop, a subculture within a subculture. A publication like yours could be very helpful.

Shiai Magazine: Any last words?

STAN BROWN: Stay vigilant.

Shiai Magazine: Thank you brother Stan Brown for accepting our interview for Shiai Magazine. We hope that you shall visit us in Cameroon “Africa in miniature”. God Bless you and let our ancestors guide your path.

STAN BROWN: Thank you for having me.