I wanted to express an unpopular opinion. Normally I tend to try to calm the waters, but after this weekend, I wanted to make a political comment regarding the numerous Associations and 10th Degree Black Belts.
First and formost, I attended John Sepulveda's 1st Annual Spirit Camp. It rocked! The thing that made it so good for me, was the lack of political agendas evidenced. Everyone was there to learn regardless of belt rank or affiliation. The bad mouthing other martial artists, their associations, history, or personal agendas was not there. In the course of my years in Kenpo, 24 this July, the nature of Associations, Kenpo, and Black Belts have changed. I was glad to be back at a camp where it genuinly felt like "family" again, and not just paying lip service to the "Kenpo Family." Kudos to John Sepulveda and his students for organizing an event that let go of some of the petty bickering that goes on behind the scenes.
Secondly, the new American Kenpo Training System (AKTS) allows dual affiliation. Geez man, I had no idea how nice this is. It removes a lot of the reason for contention. I am opting to be AKTS member only, but the door remains open to study where and with whoever else I want, up to and including affiliating with other organizations. This latitude is extraordinary.
And lastly, in my conversations with many other Black Belts, I think there were about 34 or 36 of us, one thing came out. To remain a student of Kenpo you always keep learning, following Mr. Parker's example to the end. He used to say that every day he learned one thing new about Kenpo. When you tout yourself as a Grandmaster, you cease being a student (yes, I know this is contraversial and argueable.) As a 10th Black GRANDMASTER you are the person that other's come looking to you ... for all the answers. It is what this rank implies. I was there when we collectively as a group decided the rank of 10th would be reserved for Mr. Parker. I realize that once the line broke, after all, not everyone attended that Pasadena camp the year after Mr. Parker's death, that more would have to follow. I would ask "Do you think you are a 10th Degree Black?" Would you be one if Mr. Parker was still alive? I am willing to make a strong guess that most would not.
I am not trying to besmirch anyone who is a Senior in the Art or a 10th degree, rather question the entire process and structure of upper ranks. Why do you have to be a 10th, what is left to work for, (Associations, students, etc.) that could not be done at 9th? Ah well, tis a brave new world in the 21st Century.
Respect to All, and thanks to John Sepulveda for creating an environment where I can continue to feel at home and grow,
-Michael Billings
First and formost, I attended John Sepulveda's 1st Annual Spirit Camp. It rocked! The thing that made it so good for me, was the lack of political agendas evidenced. Everyone was there to learn regardless of belt rank or affiliation. The bad mouthing other martial artists, their associations, history, or personal agendas was not there. In the course of my years in Kenpo, 24 this July, the nature of Associations, Kenpo, and Black Belts have changed. I was glad to be back at a camp where it genuinly felt like "family" again, and not just paying lip service to the "Kenpo Family." Kudos to John Sepulveda and his students for organizing an event that let go of some of the petty bickering that goes on behind the scenes.
Secondly, the new American Kenpo Training System (AKTS) allows dual affiliation. Geez man, I had no idea how nice this is. It removes a lot of the reason for contention. I am opting to be AKTS member only, but the door remains open to study where and with whoever else I want, up to and including affiliating with other organizations. This latitude is extraordinary.
And lastly, in my conversations with many other Black Belts, I think there were about 34 or 36 of us, one thing came out. To remain a student of Kenpo you always keep learning, following Mr. Parker's example to the end. He used to say that every day he learned one thing new about Kenpo. When you tout yourself as a Grandmaster, you cease being a student (yes, I know this is contraversial and argueable.) As a 10th Black GRANDMASTER you are the person that other's come looking to you ... for all the answers. It is what this rank implies. I was there when we collectively as a group decided the rank of 10th would be reserved for Mr. Parker. I realize that once the line broke, after all, not everyone attended that Pasadena camp the year after Mr. Parker's death, that more would have to follow. I would ask "Do you think you are a 10th Degree Black?" Would you be one if Mr. Parker was still alive? I am willing to make a strong guess that most would not.
I am not trying to besmirch anyone who is a Senior in the Art or a 10th degree, rather question the entire process and structure of upper ranks. Why do you have to be a 10th, what is left to work for, (Associations, students, etc.) that could not be done at 9th? Ah well, tis a brave new world in the 21st Century.
Respect to All, and thanks to John Sepulveda for creating an environment where I can continue to feel at home and grow,
-Michael Billings