Patrick Ervin
patrickervin@ddtonline.com
HOLLANDALE — Three decades ago, a youngster doing what youngsters do decided to join his cousins who had an interest in martial arts. All of the youngsters were eager to delve into this new adventure. Here's how the story transpired.
“I’m a third degree black belt now,” said Sensei Octavus J. Mackin. “And..man, my cousins didn’t last but about two days!”
The latest part of this Simmons High School and Mississippi Valley State University alum’s journey is the opening of his 117 West Washington Street martial arts studio on June 4 at 3 p.m. “It will be called Hollandale Taekwondo Karate Team (HTKT),” he said. “I will be taking students ages five and up and classes begin on June 6.”
Sensei Mackin hopes to transfer the benefits of this art form through his lifelong experiences over to members of the community. He said that his classes will be about, “discipline, focused energy, self-control and healthy living.”
Some of these principles are possibly in contrast to some of the public perception of taekwondo. “For me personally, it’s all about control,” he said. “I tell my students that once they learn some of the finer points of martial arts that the best option is still to walk away from confrontation. But, for instance if you’re a kid who’s being bullied and you have no other choice but to fight then these skills like kicking and punching come in handy. But as a student, you’re not fighting anymore.”
Mackin has traveled all over the world developing his skills and preparing himself to teach his community what he knows. He said that he would be remiss if he did not mention the individual who has been most instrumental in his development. “I give all credit to Master Derrick Brown who trained me,” Mackin said. “He is my father figure, fraternity brother and I give honor to him. I learned from him and he has taught me so many details about martial arts.”
Brown retorted, “I’ve known Brother Mackin since he was in the eighth grade. He was my student and I’m very proud of how he has developed his skills in martial arts. I know he’ll do well with his studio.”
Mackin is also a member of the Epsilon Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Later, he plans to incorporate exercise classes into the studio’s programming.
