The following is from Allen Woodham ... Your thoughts?

This is lengthy but please read. Please comment and please share. Its for all of us.

THE GODS OF MARTIAL ARTS?

I know there are haters in this world. I know there are going to be people that just don't like other people sometimes. To have an opinion about another person. It is ok to have these opinions, I'm not the GOD of martial arts but, nether are you and I am not going to tell anyone who they can and can not like. Its not my place nor my job. trust me I already have a couple jobs!.

I think we as martial artist need to step back just for a second and think about our personal approach to others. There are many other Facebook pages that hate on others. Such as Bull**** Martial Arts and the alike pages that are there for only one purpose. To HATE and devaluate another's art or skill. Is that the MIND SET of martial arts? Is that the conducive tradition that we have immersed ourselves in? Hating others for their skills or for their lack there of?

WHO are we to judge what is real or fake? WHAT TEMPLE of wisdom did we come from that taught us the only true art or system of martial arts allowable? There are many schools of training and even more of theory. You can read books, watch DVDs and hear stories, but until you have trained with these people or at least met them in person It is not your place to judge them.

People in martial arts are very quick to judge and often gossip like a sowing group of girl scouts. Please refrain yourself from trashing others until you actually KNOW. Separate what you think they do from what they actually are doing.

The mistake by many HATERS and those who would bash another persons skill level are often based upon photos or video posted on Facebook. These post are often and usually made by amateur photographers and even less skilled videographers. With little or no editing skill or proper sound and editing equipment or software.

Most people are simply posting what they believe to be a basic understanding of a technique or a system. It is normally put up and posted by those people wishing to demonstrate or promote either an art, system or a person.

YES some should never attempt this and the end results are faded from good to decent to bad to the worst possible video ever made on the subject. However the quality, it is still only a promotion of what that individual wished to share. If they are sharing with others then they are wanting feedback.

Be a critic, BUT when did we forget to be human beings? When did we forget to behave or how to talk to others? When did your MOTHER or FATHER forget to teach you how to behave in public? When did your teacher NOT tell you to be kind to others and show respect to all living things?

Most post are mere promotional photos that have no real martial arts merit. They take photos in a Karate Gi or martial arts pose that just looks cool. If only to them even its cool.

I speak to other martial artist all the time. The one constant that remains in every school of learning that I have ever seen is in the training. I know there are frauds and fakes and jerks and flakes. They are in every industry NOT only martial arts. LETS NOT JUDGE LEST YE BE JUDGED.

Is that not what we know to be true and correct? Look inside yourself and think before commenting. Search your self for the actions that you should take and not just the actions you WANT to take.

I'm not perfect either. I have made many mistakes along my path. They are my mistakes to make. Its how I learn and grow. Not only as a martial artist but as a person that must walk this planet with other people.

I do not tell you what to do or tell you even how to do it. I just want to the community to become that. A community. We can not do that by trashing others with in that community.

Here are a few ideas for some to consider.

I try not to speak about problems without having a few solutions.

If you see another person doing something you feel is the wrong way or incorrect form, privately or even publicly try to teach them and not bash them.

Show them your method and share your own training efforts and show how they produce in your system or style.

You will not only find it more beneficial but may in fact find someone willing to learn from you as well. ISNT that what we as instructors are supposed to be doing?