Originally Posted by
The Xia
I disagree with you here. It doesn't have anything to do with Eastern vs. Western. After all, the Japanese came up with the colored belt rankings. I feel that belt systems are easily corruptible. The only place I see purpose in them are when a Sifu has hordes of students and cannot possibly remember where they are at. Therefore, he uses them as an indicator. Other then the circumstance of a very large class, they are totally unnecessary and act as a hindrance. Some people may like belts because it seems like a tangible reward for effort. This is a distorted view. It is the skill, not the belt that is the reward. It is counterproductive for the goal to be a belt. The goal of training should be improving your Gong Fu.
ANYTHING is easily corruptible. That is not due to the rank system, it's the morality of the teacher. I know students in non-sash systems that suck. badly. In some cases, their teacher is chinese. Now, attend a bjj school and try to find a black belt that sucks. you'd be hard pressed. It has zero to do with the ranking structure.
the goal really doesn't matter, when you think about it. If my students' goal is a belt, that's fine. My job is to make sure they are at the appropriate skill level before I give them the belt.
i'm nobody...i'm nobody. i'm a tramp, a bum, a hobo... a boxcar and a jug of wine... but i'm a straight razor if you get to close to me.
-Charles Manson
I will punch, kick, choke, throw or joint manipulate any nationality equally without predjudice.
- Shonie Carter