Is there room for racism and prejudice in martial arts? Whose responsibility is it to ensure that this doesn’t happen? This popped into my head yesterday. While watching our children’s karate class, another mother mentioned how racist and prejudice another parent is. She explained her reasoning, giving several examples of the man’s bad behavior (some of which was not racially motivated). I don’t know the man. I’ve spoken with his wife on a few occasions. I really don’t know their views regarding race/ethnicity or anything else. In fact, I don’t care. I do care about martial arts and what my children learn from this life style.
There are many types of martial arts. Most people are aware of this. What I’m curious about, is the philosophy behind the arts. Many parents get their children involved so that they can learn respect and discipline. There are many other qualities taught and learned. Our focus is respect.
How is it possible to be racist or prejudice against anyone if you respect all people? There are numerous definitions for respect. The bottom line is: regard for others. None of the definitions say, “regard for others unless __________ or except ________.” When an adult or child enters a dojo/dojang and the instructors are talking about respect, they are talking about everyone. You respect people inside and outside the dojo/dojang. Budo (martial way) emphasizes that the “aim of karate [is] not about victory or defeat but about perfecting one’s character.” (source: http://www.blackbeltmag.com/category/daily/martial-arts-philosophy/?topicid=9329 ) There’s nothing mystical about bushido or budo. It’s a common sense code of being. In fact, it jives well with the Christian bible, the Koran, Wicca, Judaism, and many other religious perspectives. A key concept in all religions is respect.
I believe respecting others is one of the most important traits a person can learn. If you respect others, you think about them as much as you do yourself. Maybe more. You think before you act. And, if you must act in a way that may cause harm, you act with compassion. You don’t inflict more harm than is necessary to control the situation. Admittedly, I’m still learning this trait. Becoming a pacifist was a step in the right direction. Constantly working on patience is another. (This one is actually much more difficult!)
In the dojo/dojang, the people who get hurt, are usually hurt by new students with no training and a lot of enthusiasm, or sadly, by higher ranks who missed the bushido lesson on respect. They missed it because the head instructor didn’t insist upon it and/or their parents failed to reinforce it. Everyone entering the dojo/dojang is there to learn, including the instructors.
This brings me back to my initial questions. Whose responsibility is it to ensure that respect permeates the dojo/dojang so that there is no room for racism or prejudice? Afterall, the people operating the dojo/dojang are running a business. Can they afford to turn away “bad” students? What if it’s not the students who are “bad?” What if it’s the parents? Like any school, the teachers can’t control what the parents say or do … well, beyond letting them know that certain behaviors are unacceptable. But, what if it’s a combination of a lack of reinforcement from the head instructor and the parents that leads to the students not really learning respect?
I left the dojang feeling unsettled. Ultimately, I believe it’s my responsibility to teach my children. I expect other teachers to reinforce the bushido concept(s), but when they falter (and, everyone does once in a while) it’s my job to follow-up. The woman with whom I was speaking, had no idea that what she described actually spoke to something much larger, from my perspective. I think that some parents, students, and instructors forget that learning martial arts is a way of life, not simply another sport. Our children play sports, but they live budo.
“You learn to fight so that you don’t have to” is a true statement — about respect.
KDM
Laura England-Biggs
January 10, 2012
As always, very thought-provoking and fascinating.
korimiller
January 10, 2012
Thanks, Laura! Your feedback is appreciated! Hope all is well in your world.