It’s the time of year for a “Rant”.
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Imagine a shiny black-belt, dangling around someone’s waist like a “Master of Awesome” flag. Cool, right? Except, what if they got it for showing up to class a few times and making friends with the sensei’s dog? Kinda sad, don’t you think?
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That’s the thing about black-belts. They’re supposed to be more than just fancy accessories. They’re badges of honor, earned through blood, sweat, and possibly a few bruised egos. They’re proof you walked the walk, endured the endless drills, and faced your inner demons on the flimsy floor mat.
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A black-belt bought and not fought for, will never give you that.
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I’ve seen instructors, black belts of 2nd and 3rd dans, that are extremely overweight, rigid, who move in such a way as can only be described as a stuffed whale…. and these guys are in their 30’s and early 40’s….. and they really should not be teaching. Give me a break.
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In short, if you did not work for it, then it is meaningless! And you KNOW that! The bottom line is that if a grade did not take years of blood, sweat and tears to attain then it’s not worth anything.
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If someone wants to be called a black-belt from some belt factory, they can. The color of the belt isn’t a great clue to the proficiency of these people…. And yes, I’ve witnessed it, all too often… the legacy continues.
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It’s like climbing a mountain. Sure, you could take a helicopter to the top, but would you appreciate the view? The real magic is in the climb, in the blisters and the sore muscles, in pushing yourself beyond your limits and realizing you can actually go further. That’s what the black-belt represents: the struggle, the growth, the transformation.
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Remember, a black-belt without the struggle is just a fancy piece of cloth. But a black-belt earned the hard way? That’s a badge of honor you can wear with pride, both on the mat and in the real world.
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Because true mastery isn’t about having a fancy belt, it’s about becoming the best person….. who earned it.
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It’s a reminder that anything worth having is worth working for, and that the journey is just as important as the destination.
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A McDojo (or McAssociation) will basically sell you a black-belt while you pretend to go through the motions…. they want your money.
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The black-belt should be earned, and its value commensurate with the amount of effort you put in to achieve it, not paid for because you think you deserve the next grade.
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Phew. That’s better. Rant over. Happy Christmas.
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“These days too many people stop training once they pass 2nd or 3rd Dan, they don’t realise that belts are not important. Grades mean nothing; all that matters is to train hard.” (End quote) – Tatsuo Suzuki Wado-Ryu (1928-2011)
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