in seattles chinatown, i run a krav maga school known for its safe, inclusive space where cis, trans, gay, and straight individuals train together. we even hold a monthly self-defense class for trans individuals. ive worked hard to build this welcoming environment. one day, a new student paid the drop-in fee. he introduced himself as a krav maga practitioner from chicago visiting seattle for work. after pleasantries, he changed into a white t-shirt featuring trumps face and the word "revenge." sitting with the others, his shirt drew immediate attention. among the students was an openly lesbian woman who had shared past experiences of harassment. wanting to address the situation, i called out his shirt before class. i told him, we have all walks of life herecis, trans, gay, straight, etc. he interrupted, stating, i plan to vote for trump again, and ive been attacked by trans people. his words seemed rehearsed. i replied, as long as you respect others and behave, theres no problem. he responded, as long as people respect me, ill respect them. class proceeded without incident. later, i called a trans student who arrived late to assure them the space remained safe. reflecting, it felt clear the visitor wore the shirt intentionally, perhaps seeking conflict or solidarity from others. most visiting students wear shirts from their home krav maga school as a gesture of respect. his choice felt deliberate, going against the peaceful culture we foster. while some may see this as virtue signaling or a poor business decision, i believe strongly in maintaining our values. trump, to me, represents the opposite of walking in peace, and i dont want his ideology welcomed in my school. though not a major event, it was a surprising and unsettling experience as a business owner in one of seattles most diverse neighborhoods.
United States