52 BLOCKS ART OF AFRICA “ART OF INCARCERATION”
Chances are you’ve heard about 52 Blocks, possibly because of its supposed link to the prison system or because of celebrities like Wesley Snipes who have taken to it. I’m betting, however, that you don’t know much more than that. I didn’t. Which is why I linked up with Mahaliel Bethea, aka Professor Mo. The New York City–based martial artist is one of America’s most prominent proponents of 52 Blocks, and as such, he possesses unique insight into its history and development, as well as its current state. Sit back and prepare to be educated on this up-and-coming art.
First, I’d like to get the name of the art straight. Is 52 Blocks the same as 52 Hand Blocks?
They’re the same. Different people teach it different ways and call it different things, but they’re the same system.
And is 52 Blocks the same as Jailhouse Rock?
Yes. Jailhouse Rock was what they called it before they started using the name 52 Blocks. It’s also been called “wall fighting.” But over the past few years, 52 Blocks has become the most widely accepted name.
Where did the system originate?
Some people will tell you it comes from incarceration, but actually it’s a very Afrocentric system. But when you look at its history, you find that because of mass incarceration, the fighting system evolved in the jails. Some
