The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting – SUN TZU
The story of Jérémie Maradas-Nado, also known as Jo Dalton or Cool J, is that of a multi-faceted individual. He was just a child when his family from the Central African Republic sent him to France to protect him from the dictator Bokassa. His father, a respected figure who advocated for the Fifth Republic, hoped that his connections would help the ten-year-old boy. Jérémie grew up in France, facing the harsh realities of life. He was in constant rebellion, first against his own family who failed to understand him and saw him merely as a burden or someone to exploit, and then against societal expectations that dictated who he should become.
Nevertheless, he did become someone, but in his own unique way. He found his place in urban gang culture and the world of hip-hop. Violence became a daily reality for this young boy as he navigated a society where recognition was often tied to dominance. Drawing inspiration from his African roots, he recreated a tribal-like world, joined the Blacks Dragoons gang, embarking on a mission to hunt down skinheads and engage in confrontations throughout Paris.
However, amidst the darkness, there was a bright side to his story: sports and martial arts, which allowed him to transcend violence and transform it into self-improvement. Jo Dalton became a five-time French Tae Kwon Do champion. He also became a specialized educator for juvenile delinquents while remaining a member of the French national team, even earning a spot in the Olympics. But being part of gangs had its consequences as well. Falsely accused of a double homicide, he found himself imprisoned for nine months. It took an indomitable spirit to endure prison and hold onto his ideals.
His calling and purpose emerged from within. He sought to save other delinquents, utilizing rap and sports as tools for good. Through his modern-day epic, this remarkable man manages to convey a powerful message, resonating with many young individuals in search of truth and their place in French society. Finding the strength to break free from a life of delinquency, his story serves as a reflection of the struggles faced by numerous youth.
Un destin aux mille facettes. Jérémie est encore un enfant quand sa famille de Bangui en Centrafrique, l’envoie en France pour le mettre à l’abri de Bokassa et de son bras vengeur. Le père est un grand notable qui a milité pour la Ve République française, ses amis devraient pouvoir aider le gamin de dix ans.
Nous sommes en 1980. Le livre raconte comment Jérémie grandit en France, à la rude école de la vie et sans l’aide d’aucun ami paternel : Africain dans les tripes, le gamin se sent en perpétuelle révolte d’abord parmi les siens qui le maltraitent, ne le comprennent pas et ne voient en lui qu’une bouche à nourrir ou à exploiter, puis contre ce qu’on attend de lui : qu’il devienne quelqu’un.
Quelqu’un, il le deviendra, mais à sa façon. Jérémie sera tantôt Cool J, tantôt Jo Dalton, et ces noms, il les conquiert d’abord dans la culture du gang urbain et dans le hip-hop. Violence, règlements de compte sont le pain quotidien de ce jeune homme qui se cherche dans une société où la reconnaissance est surtout liée à la domination.
C’est dans le sport, l’art martial, qu’il trouvera sa voie, sublimant la violence et la transformant en dépassement de soi. Le lecteur suivra haletant le parcours initiatique du jeune champion de taekwondo dont la grande chance aura été d’avoir rencontré un maître qui lui montra le chemin.
Attention : ce récit ne bascule pas dans l’angélisme. Mais une chose est sûre, il faut une âme trempée, pour subir la prison et garder son idéal. L’idéal est vocation, appel. Sauver d’autres délinquants, mettre le rap, la poésie, le corps entier, au service du bien : voilà le message que cet homme parvient à transmettre en nous faisant revivre sa moderne épopée.
