Editor fights

By Connor de Bruler
debrulerc@mytjnow.com

You know most psychiatrists and gurus say that anger and rage are debilitating emotions. That you ought to purge yourself of it. I find it the greatest motivating force I know.” --Harry Crews 

It is my firm belief that inside everyman of every temperament lies the heart of sadistic bar-knuckle boxer. Every guy wants to get into a fight at some point. 

Rage has always been a part of my character. I attacked my mom when I was a toddler. Year’s later, I accidentally kneed my friend’s testicles in a basketball game. He punched me in the face. I retaliated and was charged with starting the fight. Only a few months after that, I beat up a kid who had been harassing my sister. I just kept kicking him until he couldn’t breathe. 

I got away with it too. 

In high school, my chemistry teacher asked me to beat up another student from a later period. I declined. 

I’m not promoting violence. I’m suggesting that as men, we acknowledge our disposition toward extreme anger and physical violence. Once we do that we can actually learn to channel it into productive mediums. 

This topic was crystallized in Chuck Palahniuk’s first novel, “Fight Club.” It’s a story about a bunch of normal guys who just can’t handle society any longer. They need some outlet for their frustration and pent-up energy. Consensual fighting is a pretty common practice throughout history, but the novel was the first portray men both as violent beings and social castaways yearning for a meaningful life through violence. 

What’s the solution? 

I purpose that a circle of men here at Winthrop be given a space inside the West Center and proper padding to essentially begin a fight club. The fighters involved shouldn’t be supervised and must give consent to be beaten up. 

I need a good fight. You guys need a fight. Let’s get together and fight. 

You don’t even have to fight. For the most part fighting unproductive and inhumane. The best way to channel anger is through acheivment. I encourage all men here at Winthrop  to channel their aggresion into a successful class assignment. As Harry Crews said, anger can be a great motivator. 

Some men don’t like male posturing. Some men don’t feel as angry as others.

That’s good. I think those guys are great, but some of us, unfortunately have no choice.

There’s nothing wrong with being effeminate. I’ve dressed up like a girl before. It’s a blast. I think a lot of people have the qualities of both genders. 

As of now, I haven’t explored my manliness enough. My inner woman is satisfied. I need to hit the gym now and push my body to the absolute limit. I need to grow a beard. I need to drink heavy, English pub beers. 

The whole time I’ve been writing this column, I’ve been drinking a Red Bull and listening to Metallica. “Shoot me again, I ain’t dead yet.” 

If anybody knows about a fight club in the region, I’m game. If anyone wants to meet with me and talk about starting a consensual fighting, ring that’s possible too.