Trophies And The Pursuit of Black Belt
by Ms. Marian Schwartz
"Yahs, indeed, I bagged this
rogue while on reconnaissance with Hastings in Punjab back in '55. Fierce one he
was. Let me tell you about it..." A retired British Colonel proudly
indicates the mounted head of an exotic wild animal (before such practices were
frowned upon) and begins the cliché recital of a personal adventure. The
effort, the danger, the twists of fate, the exhilaration all are recounted in
loving detail. In the end, the animal fell and is now displayed as a trophy, a
reminder of the Colonel's achievement.
A recent conversation with a new
acquaintance illustrated a common martial arts misunderstanding. My friend was
surprised to know that even though it is my privilege to give instruction to
lower ranking students, I myself consider that I am primarily a Tae Kwon Do
"Student". Her perception was that once the Black Belt was
attained that one had "arrived".
The Tae Kwon Do Black Belt is
indeed a prize to be pursued with all diligence. Its gain is evidence of hard
work and perseverance, and may be displayed with a proper pride in
accomplishment. But does the effort end with the "bagging" of the
Black Belt? If that is the case then the belt becomes just a trophy of
past exploits.
The moth-eaten fur of the
once-vital creature is a sad testimony to short-sighted goals. As exciting as
the campaign was, the relationship between prize and pursuer is now as dead as
the wall-mounted rogue of the ancient narration. How much more interesting are
the reports of scientists who pursue an alliance with animals in their habitat,
learn all they can about them, and are still learning.
The full and extensive knowledge to
be gained in the continued pursuit of Tae Kwon Do goes far beyond the Black Belt
Beginning. Mr. Hann, recently discussing this very ideology,
remarked "There is a difference in saying I HAVE a Black Belt (I have done
what is necessary to acquire this object) and I AM a Black Belt (I am a TKD
student who has achieved this rank, am continuing the work prescribed for this
rank, in preparation for the next one).
