#acsa

by Jessica Schwalb

The Journal of Architectural Education (JAE), the field's premier scholarly journal, has dedicated past issues to topics like the "various nuances through which water and design mix" and the "relationship between stories and architecture." Last year, the journal landed on a different topic for its fall 2025 issue: The "ongoing Israeli genocidal campaign against Palestinians in Gaza."

The journal's "call for papers"—a prompt for essay submissions—was littered with anti-Semitic rhetoric. It lauded "siege and prison breaks" as methods of "anti-colonial life- and land-protection" and justified Hamas's Oct. 7 attack as "the rupture of settler containment." The fall issue, the journal said, would center on "resistance to the Zionist, militarist, carceral, and capitalist regime of Israeli settler colonialism." Its editors included Nora Akawi, a former Columbia University professor who now teaches at Cooper Union and has endorsed the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement as "justice against [the] Israeli racist colonial regime."

The move sparked near-immediate pushback, with one group, Architects United Against Antisemitism, collecting hundreds of signatures in opposition to the prompt's "antisemitic rhetoric and blood libels." After months of inaction, the journal's publisher—the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), which represents nearly 200 architecture schools at top universities across the United States—canceled the issue. 

The journal's entire board resigned in response.

Grappling refers to a form of close-contact combat that involves controlling, manipulating, and submitting an opponent through various techniques such as holds, locks, chokes, and throws. It is commonly associated with martial arts disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, wrestling, and submission grappling.

Grappling is important for several reasons:

Self-Defense: These skills are valuable for self-defense situations, especially in close-quarters encounters or when confronted with an opponent who may be larger or stronger. The ability to control and neutralize an opponent through this can help you defend yourself and escape dangerous situations.

Ground Fighting: It primarily takes place on the ground, which is a critical aspect of combat that is often overlooked in traditional striking-based martial arts. Learning grappling techniques allows you to be effective in ground fighting scenarios, where many real-life altercations end up.

Balance and Body Control: This improves balance, body awareness, and control. It enhances your ability to manipulate your opponent’s body and maintain your own stability, which can be advantageous in both self-defense situations and competitive grappling matches.

Physical Conditioning: It is physically demanding and requires strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and muscular endurance. Regular practice of grappling techniques and live sparring sessions can improve overall fitness levels, develop functional strength, and enhance cardiovascular conditioning.

Competition: This arts offer a competitive outlet through tournaments and matches. Participating in grappling competitions allows practitioners to test their skills against similarly skilled opponents, hone their technique under pressure, and gain experience in a controlled environment.

Mental and Emotional Benefits: It requires focus, problem-solving, and adaptability. It can enhance mental resilience, discipline, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. The challenging nature of grappling can also boost confidence and self-esteem as practitioners overcome obstacles and achieve personal goals.

Cross-Training for Martial Arts: This technique complements other martial arts disciplines, such as striking-based arts like boxing or Muay Thai. Combining grappling with striking skills provides a well-rounded skill set for self-defense or mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions.

ezt nem vettem észre az utcaképen! (de dóri autóból meglátta, örök hálám)

Acsa, Pest