BlackIce said:
Grandmaster Steve ( Sanders) Muhammad,
Was a 2nd Generation Black Belt but was elevated to 1st Gen status due to his accomplishment and prowess in Kenpo.
Yes Steve was a great competitor in the heydays of the creation of the sport.
I think the owner of the site has addressed that appropriately. However to turn it into a racial matter is inappropriate. I could easily point out there are many more individuals who also are not represented who are not of color. To suggest that somehow Steve is excluded because of his color is probably indicative of some perceived bias on your part.
That was / is the Problen in EPAK SGM. Parker's Mormon beliefs did influence him to not promote men of African Decent to prominent status in the old days due to religious doctrine.
I find it interesting sir you speak of the “old days” as if you personally witnessed, or received some slight during that period. Considering your profile indicates you were born in 1973, obviously your information is, at best second hand. I’ll take a guess that you didn’t begin any training until at least the eighties, if at all. When you were born, I had already known Ed Parker for a decade and was his best friend. Moreover, relevant only to this discussion, I too coincidently happen to be Black.
The TracyÂ’s and others have often suggested somehow that Mr. ParkerÂ’s religious beliefs influenced his Kenpo in some way. For the record, and first person, it did not. They have also suggested that he was racist and sexist during that period. They and you are very wrong. Although it is true Blacks were a minority in Kenpo, relatively speaking, it is no different today. The same holds true for women. There were also no children in those days, but I donÂ’t think anyone ever suggested Mr. Parker didnÂ’t like children.
Clearly, for reasons of your own, you feel Steve has not received the recognition you feel he deserves on this forum. While he may have achieved a significant status in your mind at some time in the past, this forum acknowledges those who participate and support its function.
I’m sure there are many that would be interested in his posting and participating in discussions here, and this would allow him to get “his due” from those who come here. Nevertheless, to suggest posters or the owner of the forum should reach out and just begin laying accolades on someone known here in name only is ludicrous.
Steve has gotten his deserved “due” and then some from those he consistently interacts with on a regular basis. Should he do the same here, I’m sure he would receive it here. However, make no mistake, this is a public forum and it reaches out to everyone. Some choose to participate, and many don’t. Don’t be upset because we choose to have conversations with and about those who participate, as opposed to those who do not.
Someone please insert centerfold picture here ->
