All of the comments are obviously on the money. Consider that "Kenpo" has more 'grandmasters," and "masters" than any other martial art form and you began to get an idea of the significant impact the commercialization and the "business" aspect of "kenpo" has had on all forms of the art.
Kenpo has consistently drawn more frauds, and nebulous rankings than any art, and that includes some legitmate ranks who have chosen to "inflate" their rank for the expressed purposes of financial gain and public notoriety, and organization building. Some lower ranks have recruited higher ranks into their organizations, only to be promoted by them, so they can get together and promote each other. Than there are those that started out with a legitimate organizations who were "fast track" promoted by suspect panels and non-kenpoists only to leave after they reached their rank limitations.
That is not to say that other arts are completely devoid of such shenanigans, but not to the extend that we see in "kenpo." We are rife with multi-lettered organizations, (all with their own SGM or GM), and underling "yes men masters" hovering for rank, a multitude of rediculous video "distance learning" courses also offering rank, and more seminars, camps, and merchandise than any other art on earth. We have more sharlitans, liars, thieves, con men, child molesters, and dope dealers than anyone. I thought the Koreans (styles) were bad, but I'm afraid we win the prize. All in the pursuit of the almighty buck.
Now I'm not suggesting that because someone makes money it makes them a bad guy, after all this is America, but its the over inflated rank that is sought after and then utilized in pursuit of the buck that bothers me. After all, who would pay money to go to a seminar to listen to a first degree?
I stop wearing rank on my belt because everywhere you go, all people do is look down to see the size of your ••ck, and compare it to their own. If yours is bigger than people want to talk to you. If theirs is bigger, they ignore you and look for the guy with the big one, apparently for a good scr•wing. Look and listen to me, and if you find value in what I have to say and share, then my rank doesn't matter. And when I talk to you, I follow my teachers example. I don't care what your rank is either. Let's just talk about Kenpo. We just might educate each other.
"Just because the red show, don't mean that you know." - Ed Parker Sr.
That's one hell of a statement when you're talking about your own students and organization. I know you didn't think he was talking about some other group - did you?
