I equate a black belt to being in the same category as an eagle scout. I do not know Karate, yes… let’s just let the shock wear off for a second… … … all done?
There is no martial arts form practiced by me other than the art of bottle opening. I have that form down. Still, I of course have an opinion on martial arts even though I don’t take it.
When I was young my parents took us to a Karate Dojo in town to see if we were interested. I felt out of place. Why you ask? Well I seem to recall the Sensei’s name being Rick (my imagination wants to add the last name White) and he was very much NOT Asian. Call me racist, but unless you are Chuck Norris I don’t buy it.
I was walking past a dojo just tonight, they seem to catch my eye, and inside was an older Caucasian woman with a black belt on. I will admit it made me a little angry. Granted… perhaps this woman has the necessary skills to wear such a coveted mark of achievement, but I doubt it. I highly doubt it. When I see a black belt around the waste of a human I see a potential badass, or at least I want to believe it. You are a walking ninja out of costume to me and that belt is just as important as an Eagle Scout badge. It means you can dragon punch the shit out of Godzilla and maybe even do some Street Fighter moves.
I am ranting a little bit, but that is because I don’t know kung-fu, karate, or judo. I therefore view people that do know these forms, like my brother-in-law, in the highest regard. If you don’t even look the part though… that is an instant negative mark in my book. At least look like you can break a board with your mind ok?
Sorry Rick White… I won’t be attending your dojo.
-Opinionated Man
A Good Blog is Hard to Find 
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lol. funny. may i remind you that now a days people don’t learn martial arts to be a badass, but to protect themselves. then again, your reason behind disqualifying those folks from not looking the part of authentic martial artists, is the same reason i won’t learn tea making from a non-asian. is that racist or what?
I am a 24 year old female with a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do (as well as an instructorship title)…and feel the need to say that ninjas can come in all shapes, sizes, and genders. ;]
Actually this was more racial, than sexist… Mind if I ask how long it took you to get that 4th degree black belt? 🙂
2 1/2 years to black belt, another year to 2nd, 2 more years to 3rd, and 3 more years to 4th. So a total of 8 1/2 years or so…but I began training 12 years ago (just haven’t been able to train for several years due to my health).
Thanks for the response. That is a long time. 🙂
That it is, but I have loved every minute of it. It was absolutely worth it. :] Every black belt is a badass… :]
WELLL…. I would not say that. I know for a fact many buy their belts. You do realize that right? Doesn’t that bother you, knowing the amount of work you put in?
Well…I choose not to think about those people. So what I meant was that every black belt who EARNED their belt is a badass lol.
I think it is just a sad reflection on them, and anyone who buys in to their deceit. So no, I guess it does’t bother me all that much. I know that I earned my belt, and the only people who matter know that as well.
Although, I could put someone who bought their belt in their place in a few seconds, and I’m very ill at the moment lol.
The reason I asked is that this is why I wrote this. I see someone that doesn’t even look like a black belt, I am Korean you don’t have to lecture me about looks being deceiving, and I just get irritated. I have no martial arts skills myself, but I bothers me. 🙂
Well looking like a black belt and having the skills to back it up are two different things. I am young, female, and Caucasian…looking at me you would NEVER guess I am a black belt. And my grand master, a 7th degree black belt, is a short, apparently overweight, female in her late 50’s…but her skills are incredible and she has earned her rank and title of grand master. I have known and trained under many masters and grand masters who don’t “look the part”, that doesn’t negate what they have accomplished.
You should worry less about what someone looks like and more about what they can do.
I am Asian… we are always underestimated. You really don’t have to tell me that… 🙂