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Ask any martial arts teachers, and I'll bet he or she have faced more than one young student eager to become a "lean, mean killing machine". Young kids might even ask outright: "When will we learn to kill?" Coming from the mouth of a 7-year-old this will of course raise a smile and the occasional eyebrow.
However, there are some concerning issues involved, reaching far beyond those of juvenile curiosity and frankness. Even quite a few adults tend to take a bow at these martial arts myths, shady concepts and die-hard legends. And why is this so? How come so many otherwise educated and well-informed people tend to believe in the mythical power of The Black Belt? After all it's just a belt and a color; it really is nothing more than a step along the way to martial arts mastery.
However, there are some concerning issues involved, reaching far beyond those of juvenile curiosity and frankness. Even quite a few adults tend to take a bow at these martial arts myths, shady concepts and die-hard legends. And why is this so? How come so many otherwise educated and well-informed people tend to believe in the mythical power of The Black Belt? After all it's just a belt and a color; it really is nothing more than a step along the way to martial arts mastery.
Keeping the dream alive
There is likely more than one answer to this riddle. For one, I think we all – young or old – like to believe in tales and mysteries. Maybe it is a human trait after all to dream about supernatural powers, unbeatable karate kicks, invisible ninja and lethal kung-fu warriors? Perhaps we need this hope that becoming a black belt (The master level...), gives you the 'bully-proof' as well as bulletproof seal of approval?
Furthermore, let us not forget our inherent willingness to seek, and use, every shortcut imaginable. If there is a quick fix, we'll take it; just give me the drug doc! Personally, I tend to think that most any "hunter of the deadly warrior arts" probably is being more lazy than he is curious, ill-informed or inclined to believe in fairy tales. He probably want the "bulletproof stamp", without the sweat and years upon years of hard budo training. Meet the masters
Having met quite a few real (as in way beyond black belt level) martial arts masters, I will have to say that there are indeed people out there with some amazing skills and abilities. However, we must realise that these true masters have been honing their chops day in and day out for 40 or 50 years ... if not more. A master with three to four years training and a black belt, you say? That will be the day!Are these folks able to hurt or perhaps even maim and kill someone? Probably all of them. Are they "dangerous"? No, at least not in the hyped up sense of the word. They are more peaceful, calm and easy-going than anything else.
If you absolutely need or want to hurt someone, the martial arts is not what you would want to take up. After all, you'd probably just end up a happy and fun-loving tea drinker – someone who knows how to kick butt, without the need to do so.
Here is something more to consider adding to our collective pool of knowledge. Anyone interested in personal power trips and ventures to boost ones ego will be much better off by picking the nearest club-like instrument or rock – I guess almost any tool will do. Here's a real deadly piece of advice for you: Simply grab a knife!
But oh no, the keyboard warrior on a mission will not settle for this. He probably also needs the "coolness" factor of the martial arts – the verbal, instant knockout power of a "Watch out, I'm a black belt in karate!", or "I know martial arts!" phrase.
He needs to savor the fantasy of being able to deliver a "deadly judo chop", not just any old sucker punch or cheap shot! After all, the biggest mantra of today is to "be entertaining" – whereas it used to be great to "be someone". The biggest sin is to be boring, average or uncool. If it ain't got flash, it's just trash!
In effect, the young male will rent, buy, borrow, steal or cheat his way to the martial arts mastery status. Buy a fake certificate or inflate ones skills and ranks? A quick mentioning of being handed all the mortal combat skills through a course, in a book or at the movies, will bring him to the "sign-up here" sign faster than an expert taekwondo kick.
He is hungry for the instant death-touch ability and the scare factor that goes along with it. He needs the ability to unleash his "instant pain guaranteed" skills bought at a strip-mall upon his "enemies". Simply put, he wants the lethal pay-out without the investment.
Luckily, the martial arts are not designed that way. Its true intent and long-time effect is to be avenues leading from a state of "How can I hurt you?", to a state "How may I help you?"
The only "real danger" is to become a better person in the end. And how much of a scary perspective is that after all?
In effect, the young male will rent, buy, borrow, steal or cheat his way to the martial arts mastery status. Buy a fake certificate or inflate ones skills and ranks? A quick mentioning of being handed all the mortal combat skills through a course, in a book or at the movies, will bring him to the "sign-up here" sign faster than an expert taekwondo kick.
He is hungry for the instant death-touch ability and the scare factor that goes along with it. He needs the ability to unleash his "instant pain guaranteed" skills bought at a strip-mall upon his "enemies". Simply put, he wants the lethal pay-out without the investment.
Luckily, the martial arts are not designed that way. Its true intent and long-time effect is to be avenues leading from a state of "How can I hurt you?", to a state "How may I help you?"
The only "real danger" is to become a better person in the end. And how much of a scary perspective is that after all?
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The martial arts are built upon an abundance of tools, rituals, codes and beliefs - some old, some new. Quite a few may be common elsewhere, such as the sports specific methods or the military type of hierarchy. Other things are quite unique to the arts - one of them being the belt rank system.
And within that rank system, probably nothing has been more abused and misinterpreted than 'The Black Belt'.
Walk into any strip mall in North America and chances are you will see at least one sign shouting at you: "We are a black belt club!" Inside the karate or taekwondo school, you will likely find it displayed in prominent places as well.
"Fine", I would probably think to myself. And then I might also add "And the alternative is what ... a yellow belt club?"
Don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong about wanting to become a black belt as per se. It was one of the goals I had some 25 odd years ago. Even though I may not have a 20/20 vision any more, I'm not really after shooting myself in the foot...
What bugs me is this tendency to place this "multicolored" belt on the very top of the food chain - something to be awed and worshiped as being akin to a 007 "license to kill" thing.
One consequence of this hysteria is how media reports about a young boy or girl earning his or her black belt after a few years of training. "She has now reached the master level!" Yes, of course... and then you have the Slightly More Masters, and The Real Masters, and the Really Great Masters, and the Top Of The Line Great Ultimate Masters.
Who in their infinite wisdom began to see a black belt as a master level? Not that girl, her parents or teacher I'm sure. Yes, she's probably very good at what she does. Good for her I'd say without a hint of irony. Her parents and relatives are very proud and she has undoubtedly earned the belt.
But please ... even though it's a great achievement in anyones life - be that young or old - it's just a belt. And last time I checked black was a color.
What might happen if we put things on a pedestal, is that we don't see it's real purpose and true value.
This rank is intended to be a summary of all the basic steps. In essence it means that you should now be able to really begin to benefit from your training; it's not the end, but rather the beginning. You have learned the dance steps, now dance! All those tiny creeks have joined into a small river, which can begin to gain momentum. Hopefully one day it will grow into a larger river.
Way too many people come to this perceived peak of "black-beltness", which really is more like a crossroad. They look around and may think to themselves "I did it, now what?", or "was this all?"
It may also be that some actually believe in the hype and the mystery cloud surrounding the sudden deadliness status we all know comes with the territory. From one day to the next, you are a lethal weapon - guaranteed.
So what happens when our young "karate kid" learns that she can not walk on water, levitate or perform the Hollywood film tricks or one-fingered delayed death touch at will?
Is there an increased chance of the student dropping out at this point? At least statistics indicate this to be the fact. After all, very few continue after earning their black belt.
Could it be then, that this is at least partially because the belt is so over-hyped and then brought to you as something achievable in 3 to 4 years of training? I honestly believe so.
I don't wish to devalue anything. However, anyone with a basic concept of motivation will achieve a black belt in eight out of ten arts. It is just a matter of showing up at regular intervals and doing what you're told, you know :-)
The real value lies in the fact that you should now have a basic understanding of the path you're currently on. You should also have learned how to learn - how to seek out and apply the correct information.
Furthermore - and this may be the most profound experience of them all - you should by now have found out a thing or two about yourself, as well as having met and hopefully befriended a number of great, inspirational people.
That is the gift of tying the black belt around your waist; now, get your butt-kicking belt back to that training hall!
Resources:
The Danger Myth
The Danger Myth
Eugor
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