My master always says he wants to raise the martial artist, meaning that at one time actors were just mere toys for the wealthy but are not highly respected. He's like to see martial artists wisen up and become more dignified.
It was something I never thought about until Sunday. I just got back from a fight that I had won and feeling good and I showed my landlord because I train his young son.
Later that day I went to his Memorial Day BBQ and there were a ot of people and he introduced me to this older woman who immediately said, "Oh, you're that karate guy" and went into a karate pose and started chopping at the air with bladed hands.
It kind of turned my stomach the way she viewed me. Here I was so high on a technically flawless victory -- and kind bud -- and this lady made me feel like a fool.
Normally, I don't care what people think. But I could see this wealthy Long Island lady looking at me as a) a piece of meat and b) like some dumb jock.
Can we raise the status of martial artists? How?